BNP keeps 'alternative candidates' ready in Sylhet, names multiple nominees in several seats

BNP has nominated more than one leader in several constituencies in Sylhet division to keep "alternative candidates" ready ahead of the deadline for submitting nomination papers, party sources said.

BNP leaders who received the nominations have been asked to submit their papers to the Election Commission before the deadline expires at 5pm today (29 December).

The move, however, has created confusion and divisions among local activists, who are uncertain about which candidate to support.

Party sources confirmed that multiple nominations have been given in constituencies including Sylhet-6, Sunamganj-1 and Sunamganj-2.

In Sunamganj-2 (Dirai–Shalla), BNP had initially nominated veteran leader Nasir Uddin Chowdhury.

On Saturday (27 December), however, another nomination was also granted to Tahir Raihan Chowdhury Pavel.

Nomination submission deadline for national polls expires today

Since yesterday evening (28 December), a letter signed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, naming Tahir Raihan Chowdhury Pavel, circulated widely on social media.

This led to speculation that the party had replaced its candidate for the seat.

Central BNP leaders later said both Nasir Chowdhury and Tahir Raihan Chowdhury had been given nominations for the constituency.

Nasir Chowdhury, a former member of parliament and a member of BNP's Central Executive Committee, has contested five parliamentary elections and two upazila parishad elections in Dirai.

BNP announced his name as the candidate on 4 December.

When Nasir Chowdhury submitted his nomination papers on Saturday afternoon, Tahir Raihan Chowdhury was with him.

Later that evening, Tahir Raihan Chowdhury himself collected a nomination form, triggering fresh discussion in the area.

Asked about the matter, Tahir Raihan Chowdhury confirmed that he had collected the form and received the party letter.

"I was a nomination seeker and worked on the ground. Even when I was not given the nomination earlier, I did not go against the party's decision. Now the party has asked me to collect and submit the nomination form. I will submit it today (Monday)," he said.

In Sunamganj-1 (Dharmapasha, Tahirpur, Jamalganj and Madhyanagar), BNP has also nominated more than one leader.

The party first announced Anisul Haque, former vice-president of the district BNP and former chairman of Tahirpur upazila parishad, as its candidate.

Later on Saturday, Kamruzzaman Kamrul, former organising secretary of the district BNP and also a former upazila chairman, was granted a nomination.

Since Anisul Haque's name was announced, Kamrul's supporters have held programmes, including protests, demanding a change.

Yesterday afternoon, they held a rally in Ujan Tahirpur village, where Kamrul said he would submit his papers as an independent candidate.

Kamruzzaman Kamrul later said that while returning to the district headquarters, he received a phone call from the BNP central office asking for his National Identity Card number.

After providing it, he was told to send a representative to collect the party nomination letter.

"I have been told that I am the party candidate here. I should conduct the election by taking everyone along," he said.

In Sylhet-6, comprising Golapganj and Beanibazar upazilas, BNP has nominated Faysal Ahmed Chowdhury this time.

A letter signed by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday granted him the nomination, which became public on Sunday night. His media cell confirmed receipt of the letter.

Earlier, in the first phase of BNP's nomination announcements, district BNP general secretary Emran Ahmed Chowdhury was named as the candidate for the seat and had begun campaigning.

Faysal Ahmed Chowdhury was also a nomination seeker. He contested the 2018 election with BNP's electoral symbol and lost against Awami League candidate and former education minister Nurul Islam Nahid.

Although he did not receive the nomination in the first phase, he remained active in the area and has now been granted the party ticket.

Both Faysal Ahmed Chowdhury and Emran Ahmed Chowdhury have collected nomination papers from the returning officer's office and are expected to submit them today, the final day.

According to BNP sources, the party is keeping alternative candidates ready in several seats and has therefore granted nominations to more than one leader in some constituencies. One candidate will be finalised later.

BNP Central Organising Secretary for Sylhet Division, GK Gouch, said that in a few seats, two leaders had been asked to submit nomination papers.

One of them would withdraw during the allocation of symbols on 21 January.

However, several party leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the strategy could deepen internal divisions within the party.