Voters reject BNP 'rebels'

BNP rebel candidates have failed to gain voter confidence in this election battle.

In at least 46 constituencies, several high-profile BNP leaders contested as independents or "rebel" candidates, going against the party's official decision. They had drawn considerable attention.

Out of these 46 seats, "rebel" candidates won in seven constituencies, Jamaat won in two, while in the remaining 39 constituencies, candidates contesting with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol secured landslide victories and were unofficially elected as MPs.

In these 39 constituencies, the Sheaf of Paddy candidates had been considered at significant risk due to the presence of rebel contenders.

After the election schedule was announced, around 190 BNP leaders initially submitted nomination papers in 117 constituencies against party decisions. The party held discussions with many of them in an effort to prevent rebellion. Ultimately, rebel candidates remained in 46 constituencies, numbering approximately 79 individuals.

In Dhaka-14, the BNP candidate was defeated. Rebel candidate Syed Abu Bakar Siddique (Saju), former convener of Darus Salam Thana BNP, contested with the Football symbol but lost. The seat was won by Jamaat's Scales symbol candidate, Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem.

In Dhaka-12, Saiful Islam of the Revolutionary Workers Party, contesting under the Spade symbol as part of the BNP alliance, was defeated. The Scales symbol candidate Saiful Islam Milon won the seat. Expelled BNP leader Saiful Islam Nirob had also drawn attention in this constituency.

In the remaining 39 constituencies, BNP candidates defeated their rebel rivals and were unofficially elected. One notable contest was in Cumilla-2 (Homna-Titas), where former APS-2 to Begum Khaleda Zia, Md Abdul Matin Khan, ran as an independent rebel candidate. BNP candidate Selim Bhuiyan won the seat.

In Dinajpur-2 and 5, Pabna-3, Sylhet-5, Narayanganj-2 and 3, Brahmanbaria-5, Habiganj-1, Kishoreganj-1, Tangail-3 and 5, Sunamganj-3, Panchagarh-2, Gopalganj-2, Barishal-1, Narail-1, Jhenaidah-4, Naogaon-1, 3 and 6, Khagrachhari Hill District, Satkhira-3, Chattogram-16, Rangpur-3, Munshiganj-1, Rajbari-2, Manikganj-1, Jashore-5, Noakhali-2, Chandpur-4, Madaripur-1 and Mymensingh-1, 2, 6, 7 and 9, rebel candidates had mounted strong challenges against BNP's official nominees. However, in all these constituencies, the Sheaf of Paddy symbol secured overwhelming victories.

Seven seats won by rebels

The victorious independent candidates are: Barrister Rumin Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2), Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal (Kishoreganj-5), Lutfur Rahman Khan Azad (Tangail-3), Abdul Hannan (Chandpur-4), Atikul Alam Shawon (Cumilla-7), Salman Omar Rubel (Mymensingh-1), and Rezwanul Haque (Dinajpur-5).

Despite various party initiatives, more than fifty "disgruntled" BNP leaders across the country ultimately remained in the race as independent or rebel candidates after failing to secure the Sheaf of Paddy symbol.

Notably, in 12 out of 16 constituencies left to alliance partners, rebel candidates stayed in the contest, effectively splitting BNP votes at the grassroots level. As a result, BNP-backed alliance candidates lost in most of those seats.

In Brahmanbaria-2, BNP left the seat to Jamiat vice-president Maulana Junaid Al Habib. However, after being denied the Sheaf of Paddy symbol, former assistant international affairs secretary of the party Barrister Rumin Farhana ran as an independent and was expelled.

In Kishoreganj-5 (Bajitpur-Nikli), Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal initially received the party nomination. Later, the Sheaf of Paddy symbol was awarded to Syed Ehsanul Huda, chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Dal under the 12-party alliance, who joined BNP and received the nomination. Iqbal was expelled after contesting independently.

In Tangail-3 (Ghatail), BNP nominated central executive committee member Obaidul Haque Nasir. Former BNP minister Lutfur Rahman Khan Azad became a rebel candidate after being denied the party symbol.

In Chandpur-4 (Faridganj), BNP nominated former MP and party Revenue and Banking Affairs Secretary Lion Harunur Rashid. However, after being denied the symbol, upazila BNP president Abdul Hannan contested independently and was expelled.

In Cumilla-7 (Chandina), LDP Secretary General Redwan Ahmed joined BNP and received the Sheaf of Paddy symbol. After being denied the nomination, upazila BNP president Atikul Alam Shawon ran independently and was expelled.

In Mymensingh-1 (Haluaghat-Dhobaura), BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince received the party symbol. North district BNP member Salman Omar Rubel contested independently and was expelled.

In Dinajpur-5 (Parbatipur-Phulbari), BNP nominated Barrister AKM Kamruzzaman. Rezwanul Haque was expelled after contesting as a rebel candidate.