The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is examining its candidate nominations amid growing internal unrest and protests from grassroots supporters. Following widespread protests and dissatisfaction over its list of 237 election candidates, the party leadership is reportedly considering revising some of the contentious nominations to placate local activists and address allegations.
According to party insiders, BNP officials are in the process of preparing a revised list based on feedback from district-level leaders, the candidates’ activities, and their popularity among voters. A team led by BNP Advisory Council member Dr Ziauddin Haider is said to be spearheading this review.
The party is also in discussions with its coalition partners to announce additional candidates for remaining seats. Some senior leaders, such as Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, and Habibun Nabi Khan Shole—initially not given nominations—may be reconsidered for candidacy in upcoming updates.
A BNP Standing Committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed the party has acknowledged certain nominations may have been flawed and is actively seeking district-level input. The party is scrutinising the performance and grassroots support of current nominees and is closely monitoring their engagement with local activists, especially those previously denied nominations. Efforts to foster unity at the grassroots level are being emphasised, with strict disciplinary action planned against those causing divisions.
Several candidates face suspension or review due to allegations or health concerns. For instance, Kamal Jaman Mollah’s nomination in Madaripur-1 has been suspended over allegations, while nominees like Mushfiqur Rahman and Sardar Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu, who are facing health issues, are also being reassessed.
Candidates under investigation include Fakhrul Islam of Noakhali-5, who faces links to Jamaat-e-Islami and S Alam Group, and Mohammad Enamul Haq of Chattogram-12, who is linked to the Awami League and the same conglomerate. Their popularity and grassroots acceptance are also under scrutiny, with several other nominations being reviewed for similar reasons.
The review process also targets other aspirants such as Abdul Gafur Sarker, Farjana Sharmain, Ali Asgar Lobi, Akhtarul Alam, Nabiullah Nobi, and several others, owing to allegations of misconduct or poor performance.
Internal conflicts persist in numerous constituencies, with over twenty areas identified where rival candidates remain competitive. The party fears that unless these nominations are revaluated, some local leaders may run as independents or with other parties, potentially undermining BNP’s electoral chances.
BNP leadership is emphasising the importance of candidates’ efforts to unify the party at the grassroots level. Failure to build reconciliation despite efforts may result in replacements or disciplinary actions. Some popular leaders who denied nominations are reportedly being approached by other parties to split votes by running as independents.
Party officials are continuing to verify the standing of the nominated candidates through neutral channels, with final decisions on nominations likely to be made after the official election schedule is announced.
Protests against the BNP nominations have erupted across several districts, including Satkhira, Mymensingh, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Rangpur, Cox’s Bazar, Narayanganj, and others, highlighting local dissatisfaction over the perceived bypassing of dedicated activists.
Responding to the controversy, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed clarified that the candidate list was always considered tentative, with room for revision. He emphasised that the party remains open to making necessary changes if it perceives any nomination as inappropriate. Fellow committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku acknowledged that some dissatisfaction was expected but assured that the party was carefully managing the situation.
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