United News of Bangladesh

Concerned by internal rifts in several districts following the announcement of its initial candidates for 237 seats, BNP is now considering dropping controversial and heavily disputed nominees from its preliminary list for the 13th national election. A team of senior party leaders has been tasked with resolving internal conflicts in several constituencies, assessing the performance of the nominated aspirants and identifying poor performers and controversial ones, party insiders told UNB. At the same time, the party is moving ahead with final preparations for the national polls, including completing its election manifesto. The decisions were taken on Monday night at a meeting of the BNP’s National Standing Committee at the party chairperson’s political office in Gulshan. Read more: Rizvi slams Hasina over reported gold recovery from bank vaults Talking to UNB, a BNP Standing Committee member, wishing anonymity, said a list of 35 candidates has been initially prepared for review. “This doesn’t mean the candidates in all these seats will be changed. But we will reassess whether our nominations were right or wrong.” He said an internal survey is being planned in these constituencies to further check the popularity of the candidates and their rivals before making the final decision. The BNP leader also said the party is focusing on removing intra-party conflicts in all seats to ensure a single candidate represents the party without facing a rival. On November 3, BNP announced primary nominations in 237 seats, but the announcement triggered protests, clashes and serious disagreements in around 60 constituencies. Several people were injured, leaving the party leadership embarrassed. At the meeting, some Standing Committee members raised concerns over nominations given to controversial figures, elderly candidates and those linked to local rivalries. Read more: BNP weighing review of ‘controversial’ nominations amid grassroots unrest They said replacing disputed nominees with dedicated and qualified leaders would help reduce conflicts and ensure party victory. One senior leader pointed to Chattogram-12 and Noakhali-5 seats, saying the nominees there have faced widespread negative publicity in mainstream and social media. He also pointed out that protests demanding candidate changes in some areas even led to clashes between rival groups, intensifying intra-party conflicts. BNP Standing Committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the reactions seen in some places are ‘natural’, as many enthusiastic aspirants did not get nominations. “Many of our leaders and workers supported those who were deprived of nomination. So, some reactions are coming. I believe this will settle down with time,” he said. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “This is not our final selection. We still have room for reconsideration. If any decision is not fully correct in one or two places, it may be reviewed. But this will not happen widely.” Read more: Zaima Rahman joins BNP meeting for first time Another Standing Committee member said the party may reconsider nominations in a few cases after further verification. “Others may be evaluated and accommodated in different ways.” He added that BNP will take a tougher stance if similar protests occur after the final list of candidates is announced following the election schedule. Meanwhile, a BNP Standing Committee member said the party has taken up a large-scale campaign strategy focused on sector-based commitments and development-oriented messages ahead of the election. As part of this initiative, constituency-based teams comprising central, associate and front-organ leaders are being formed. The BNP leader said the teams’ task will be to present voters with leaflets explaining what BNP plans to implement if voted to power, the reforms it intends to introduce, and the overall vision for the country. Read more: Tarique cites Prophet’s ideals, seeks Islamic scholars’ support for BNP “The broader campaign will avoid negative rhetoric and instead emphasise realistic, sector-wise development plans under the theme ‘Bangladesh First.’ The manifesto, built on the party’s 31-point reform plan and the July Declaration, will outline reforms in healthcare, education, agriculture, environment and employment. Plans include affordable primary healthcare, education linked with jobs, support for farmers, major water management programmes and revival of cottage industries,” he said. During the campaign, BNP plans to attract female voters with the proposed ‘Family Card’ while appealing to the youth with a pledge to create one crore jobs within 18 months. Contacted, Dr Ziauddin Haider, a member of the BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council, said their party’s manifesto is being prepared to build a modern Bangladesh by addressing real needs in health, education, agriculture, environment and employment. “The manifesto will be formally announced after the election schedule is declared.” Read more: BNP nomination hopefuls frustrated as party delays green signal

A day after announcing BNP’s list of 237 potential candidates for the upcoming national election, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday (4th November 2025) urged party leaders who were not nominated to have faith that the party will give them due responsibility and respect. In a post on his verified Facebook page, the veteran leader also said this election might be his last as a contestant. Fakhrul, who has been nominated to contest from Thakurgaon-1 seat, expressed his sincere thanks to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and all party leaders and activists for their longstanding support. “This may be my last election. Those who did not get the nomination, please have faith — InshAllah, the party will give you due responsibility and respect,” Fakhrul writes. Four Sitakunda BNP leaders expelled over  nomination-related violence  He recalled his long political journey and the sacrifices made by his family, saying, “When I decided to return to politics in 1987, my two daughters were very young then. They were studying in Dhaka. My wife was also very young. At first, she was completely shocked — she couldn’t realise what a life of terrible uncertainty she was stepping into.” Expressing gratitude to his wife Rahat Ara Begum, Fakhrul said she took their two daughters to school and to the doctor on her own. “I remember when my elder daughter had to undergo an operation — I spent the whole night in the car on the way to Dhaka, just so I could be by her side. I’ll tell those stories some other day, InshAllah!” he said. Fakhrul said thousands of BNP leaders and activists across the country have similar stories of sacrifice. He urged the people of the country to pray for him and all his party members. “We will stand beside you and work for you, Inshallah. BNP has the ability to take the country forward with dignity.” On Monday evening, Fakhrul announced the list of 237 BNP candidates out of a total of 300 at a press conference at the party Chairperson’s Gulshan office, disappointing many potential aspirants who were not considered for nomination. Supporters of some aspirants in different parts of the country also took to the streets to express their anger. Read more: Abbas fears interim govt may use illegal means to secure win for Jamaat, NCP