Though the party allocated only 17 seats to its allies in the simultaneous movement, 11 of them are now facing BNP rebel candidates, complicating the prospects for alliance contenders in the February 12 parliamentary election.
Despite tough measures such as expulsions, persuasion and compromise attempts, BNP failed to prevent many of its rebel leaders from contesting the 13th parliamentary election, since they are running as independents in nearly a quarter of constituencies, including those earmarked for alliance partners.
The situation has unsettled BNP’s alliance candidates, leading them to doubt the party high command’s commitment and the rebels’ sense of ‘political courtesy.
Of the 17 seats for its movement partners, nine candidates are contesting with their own party symbols, while eight candidates joined BNP after leaving their own parties and are contesting with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.
Among the nine alliance candidates contesting the election with their own symbols, six will face BNP rebel candidates.
Meanwhile, of those contesting the election under the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol, five are up against former BNP leaders, most of whom were expelled for defying the party’s decision.
The six candidates who are not facing BNP rebels are Ganosamhati Andolon chief coordinator Zonayed Saki in Brahmanbaria-6, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Secretary General Manjurul Islam Afendi in Nilphamari-1, and BJP Chairman Andalib Rahman Partha in Bhola-1. Jatiya Party Chairman (Kazi Zafar) in Pirojpur-1, Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj in Dhaka-13, and BLDP Chief Shahdat Hossain Selim in Laxmipur-1.
In Bogura-2, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna (Kettle) is facing Mir Shahe Alam, president of Shibganj Upazila BNP, contesting as a rebel with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’. In Patuakhali-3, Gono Odhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur (Truck) is facing BNP Executive Committee member Hasan Mamun.
In Dhaka-12, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque (Spade) is being challenged by former Dhaka North BNP convener and ex-Jubo Dal president Saiful Alam Nirob.
In Sylhet-5, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam President Ubaidullah Faruq (Date Tree) will face Sylhet district BNP vice-president Mamunur Rashid, popularly known as ‘Chaksu Mamun’. In Narayanganj-4, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Joint Secretary General Munir Hossain Kasemi (Date Tree) will face two BNP rebels—Executive Committee member Gias Uddin and former Fatullah Thana BNP president Shahe Alam.
Similarly, in Brahmanbaria-2, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Joint Secretary General Junayed Al Habib (Date Tree) will face two former BNP leaders—former MP and BNP international affairs assistant secretary Rumeen Farhana and district BNP member S N Tarun Dey.
In Kishoreganj-5, Syed Ehsanul Huda is contesting with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol after dissolving his Bangladesh National Party and joining BNP, but will face BNP rebel Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal, president of Bajitpur Upazila BNP.
In Narail-2, NPP Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad is contesting with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ but will face district BNP General Secretary Monirul Islam. In Jessore-5, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Rashid Ahmad (Mufti Rashid Bin Wakkas) joined BNP and is contesting with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, but faces former Monirampur Upazila BNP president Shahid Mohammad Iqbal Hossain.
Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Md Rashed Khan joined BNP before the election and was nominated in Jhenaidah-4. He will face Jubo Dal senior joint secretary general Saiful Islam Firoz. Former state minister Redwan Ahmed returned to BNP and is contesting in Cumilla-7 with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, facing Chandina Upazila BNP president Atikul Alam Shawon.
Contacted, BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said their party tried to convince the rebel candidates to step back, but in many cases, they did not.
“We expelled those who violated the party decision and even dissolved committees to force leaders and workers to support the party and alliance candidates. Our central election steering committee is contacting grassroots leaders to work for party-backed candidates,” he said.
BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince is himself facing a rebel candidate in Mymensingh-1 (Haluaghat-Dhobaura).
“Those who stand against BNP are betraying the party. The people will protest against them through the ballot. A BNP independent candidate is also contesting in my seat and trying to trouble me, but he is not succeeding. Party leaders, activists, and voters are with me,” he said.
According to party sources, BNP now faces 92 rebel candidates in around 83 constituencies nationwide.
In over a dozen seats, party leaders, activists, and voters believe rebel contenders have a strong chance of winning, potentially weakening BNP and its alliance candidates.
In Dhaka, strong rebels Ishque Sarkar (Dhaka-7), Saiful Alam Nirab (Dhaka-12), and Syed Abu Bakar Siddique Saju (Dhaka-14) are splitting votes. Popular independents often enjoy local support and work with grassroots leaders, affecting BNP’s prospects.
Outside Dhaka, key independents include Hasan Mamun (Patuakhali-3), Dharmojyoti Chakma (Khagrachhari), Engr Fazlul Azim and Engr Tanvir Uddin Rajib (Noakhali-6), Rukunuzzaman Shaheen (Kurigram-4), Nasirul Haque Sabu (Rajbari-2), and Leyakat Ali (Chattogram-16).
Others with personal vote banks include Dewan Zainul Zakirin (Sunamganj-4), MAH Selim (Bagerhat-1 and 2), and Lutfor Rahman Khan Azad (Tangail-3).
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Several constituencies, including Dhaka-12, Dhaka-14, Sylhet-5, Tangail-5, Natore-1, and Patuakhali-3, see multi-way fights where independents are splitting BNP votes.
BNP leaders have issued repeated warnings to rebels, but many leaders and workers continue supporting independent candidates.
Strong local networks, public service records and personal popularity have made these rebels key players, creating uncertainty for BNP across multiple constituencies.