BNP unveils 36 names for reserved women's seats
The list was announced at a press conference this afternoon (20 April) at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka, by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
The BNP has announced a list of 36 nominees for reserved women's seats in the 13th national parliament.
The list includes a mix of young, dedicated, and experienced figures. Among them, 26 are new faces, while 10 are former MPs. However, the list has already drawn criticism, with allegations that it includes individuals linked to the Awami League, and excludes several widely discussed candidates.
The names were announced today (20 April) at the party's central office in Nayapaltan by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
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Rizvi said members of the national committee conducted interviews over two days before the nomination board finalised the list.
Many discussed candidates excluded
Despite purchasing nomination forms and being widely discussed, several candidates did not make the final list. Notable names include singers Kanak Chapa and Baby Naznin, as well as July activist Farzana Sithi. Model Meghna Alam and television actress Rukaiya Jahan Chamak were also among those left out.
Several politically prominent figures were also excluded, including Afroza Abbas, president of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal and wife of Mirza Abbas; Nazmun Nahar Baby, vice-president of the party's women's wing; and Selina Hafiz, its agriculture affairs secretary. Wives and associates of several senior BNP leaders were also omitted.
Controversy over alleged Awami League links
At least two individuals on the list are alleged to have past links with Awami League politics, raising concerns among party activists.
One of them, lawyer Madhabi Marma, previously served as an assistant public prosecutor under an Awami League government and was later appointed a notary public during that tenure. Another nominee, Subarna Shikdar, has faced allegations of holding a position in an Awami League committee, though she claims her name was included without consent.
BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy defended the nominations, saying, "We have nominated candidates after careful consideration. Even if there are mistakes, they were made knowingly. In politics, many decisions are shaped by circumstances."
