5 new faces get BNP nomination in Ctg, heavyweights left out
The party hopes everyone will work for the candidate who ultimately receives the party ticket
The BNP has announced candidates for 10 out of the 16 parliamentary constituencies in Chattogram, introducing five new faces while leaving out several heavyweight contenders.
At a press conference held at the party chairperson's Gulshan office yesterday (3 November), BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the primary list of nominations for 237 constituencies across the country.
Among the new faces, Sarwar Alamgir, former joint convener of the BNP's Chattogram North district unit, has been nominated for Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari).
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For Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda), the party has nominated Kazi Salauddin, another former joint convener of the BNP's Chattogram North district unit.
In Chattogram-5 (Hathazari), Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, assistant organising secretary of BNP's Chattogram division, has received the nomination.
Humam Quader Chowdhury, son of late BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, will contest from Chattogram-7 (Rangunia), while Mishkatul Islam Chowdhury Pappa, joint convener of the Chattogram South district BNP and son of former minister Jafrul Islam Chowdhury, has been nominated for Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali).
Among the familiar names, Nurul Amin Chairman, former joint convener of Chattogram North district BNP, will contest from Chattogram-1 (Mirsharai).
Ershad Ullah, convener of Chattogram city BNP, has been nominated for Chattogram-8 (Chandgaon-Boalkhali).
BNP Standing Committee member and former minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury will run in Chattogram-10 (Khulshi-Pahartali).
Enamul Haque Enam, former senior joint convener of the Chattogram South district BNP, has been nominated for Chattogram-12 (Patiya), and former lawmaker Sarwar Jamal Nizam will contest from Chattogram-13 (Anwara-Karnaphuli).
Heavyweights left out
Several senior BNP leaders from Chattogram were left out of the nomination list, including the chairperson's adviser Aslam Chowdhury, whose name was dropped from Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda).
In protest, his supporters blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and rail line yesterday evening. The party has since expelled four of his followers.
In Chattogram-1 (Mirsharai), former upazila BNP convener Shahidul Islam Chowdhury had sought nomination but was overlooked. In Chattogram-5 (Hathazari), Barrister Shakila Farjana, daughter of four-time MP and former whip Syed Wahidul Alam, and BNP Chairperson's Adviser SM Fazlul Haque were also considered strong contenders but were ultimately not nominated, according to party sources.
Speaking to The Business Standard, Farjana said, "My father was elected four times with the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol. We have always been, are, and will always support the 'sheaf of paddy'. We will always work for the party."
In the Chattogram-6 (Raozan), several prominent leaders — including suspended central vice chairman Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury, BNP Chairperson's Adviser Golam Akbar Khondker, and Jasim Uddin Sikder — were among the hopefuls.
In Chattogram-9 (Kotwali-Bakalia), the nomination of former Chattogram South district BNP convener Abu Sufian was initially announced but later suspended. He previously contested from Chattogram-8, where the city BNP convener Ershad Ullah has now been nominated. Party insiders say internal complications have arisen over the Chattogram-9 nomination.
In Chattogram-10 (Khulshi-Pahartali), the nomination of Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has sidelined another heavyweight contender, Sayeed Al Noman, son of late BNP vice-chairman Abdullah Al Noman and president of the Jatiyatabadi Pat Shromik Dal.
Party sources said Sayeed Al Noman is now being considered for Chattogram-9. Others being considered for that seat include Chattogram city Mayor Shahadat Hossain, former city BNP general secretary Abul Hashem Bakkar, and BNP Central Committee member Shamsul Alam.
Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish) and Chattogram-15 (Satkania-Lohagara) seats have been kept aside for alliance partners, said several party sources familiar with the matter.
In Chattogram-11 (Bandar-Patenga), Israfil Khasru, son of Amir Khasru and member of BNP's International Affairs Subcommittee, was among the aspirants, but his name was dropped in line with the party's policy of not nominating multiple members from the same family.
Party insiders said the final decision on this seat might depend on alliance negotiations.
For Chattogram-3 (Sandwip), several leaders — including former MP Mostafa Kamal Pasha, former Chattogram North district BNP joint convener Belayet Hossain, the party's central committee members Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan Milton and Torikul Alam Tenzing — had been vying for nomination. However, due to internal rifts, no final decision has been made yet, according to party sources.
BNP Organising Secretary (in charge of Chattogram division) Mahbubur Rahman Shamim told The Business Standard, "Nominations in constituencies with multiple aspirants are still being finalised. BNP is a large party, so it's natural to have many capable contenders. We hope everyone will work for the candidate who ultimately receives the party nomination."
