Disputes flare up among BNP leaders over Sylhet-4 nomination: Supporters want 'local' candidate, not 'outsider'
The BNP has not yet officially announced a candidate for the seat
Tensions have surfaced within the BNP in Sylhet following the announcement of the party's preliminary list of candidates for the upcoming national election, particularly over the Sylhet-4 (Gowainghat-Companiganj-Jaintapur) constituency, where internal disputes have intensified.
The BNP has not yet officially announced a candidate for the seat. However, former Sylhet City Corporation mayor and adviser to the BNP chairperson, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, after meeting BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and members of the party's standing committee in Dhaka, reportedly claimed that he has been nominated for Sylhet-4.
Ariful said, "Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman have nominated me for this seat. The party will officially announce it soon."
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He added, "I know every corner of this constituency and am aware of the people's problems. If elected, I will solve the local issues within the first year. All the other aspirants are dedicated and respected leaders — I intend to work with everyone."
Arif's declaration has sparked anger among other nomination seekers in the constituency. Several of them have continued their local campaigns, while supporters of former Gowainghat upazila chairman and district BNP adviser Abdul Hakeem Chowdhury have been protesting daily against Arif, calling him an "outsider" and demanding a "local candidate".
Arif, born in Kamalganj, Moulvibazar, has long been involved in BNP politics in Sylhet. He served as president of the Sylhet Metropolitan BNP and was twice elected mayor of Sylhet City Corporation. He is currently a permanent resident of Sylhet city.
However, Hakeem's followers argue that Arif is engaged only in city politics and has no direct connection with the Sylhet-4 constituency, which comprises Gowainghat, Companiganj, and Jaintapur upazilas. They have labeled him a "non-local" candidate.
Hakeem, a two-time elected chairman of Gowainghat Upazila Parishad and a former union chairman, hails from the same area. His supporters are demanding that he be nominated as a "local candidate".
In support of their demand, Hakeem's followers staged torch processions across various areas of Jaintapur, Gowainghat, and Companiganj upazilas on Friday and Saturday nights, chanting slogans such as "We want a local, we want Hakeem bhai", "No more outsiders, time for locals", and "We want Hakeem, no one else".
Earlier, on Thursday (7 November) night, at least 13 processions were brought out in different parts of Companiganj and Gowainghat upazilas in support of Hakeem, who is seeking the party's nomination.
Meanwhile, supporters of another nomination aspirant, BNP district adviser Helal Uddin Ahmed, also raised slogans such as "We want a local, we want Helal bhai".
Abdul Hakeem Chowdhury said, "I will accept whoever the party nominates. However, if a Jamaat-backed or outsider candidate is chosen, our activities here may face obstacles. The voters prefer a local face."
Helal expressed a similar view, saying, "The party high command has not yet made any official announcement. I am a local candidate, and the people here want me. Until the party's final decision, I will continue my campaign."
Despite the protests, Arif has already begun his campaign in the constituency. Yesterday (9 November), he held a meeting with Companiganj upazila BNP leaders and activists.
Earlier, on 3 November, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the preliminary list of candidates at a press conference at the party chairperson's political office in the capital's Gulshan. Candidates were announced for Sylhet-1, Sylhet-2, Sylhet-3, and Sylhet-6 constituencies, but not for Sylhet-4 and Sylhet-5.
After the announcement, Arif, who was initially seeking the nomination for Sylhet-1, was reportedly summoned to Dhaka by the BNP high command. The party had instead nominated another chairperson's adviser, Khondaker Muktabir, for Sylhet-1.
Following a meeting with the BNP chairperson, Arif later stated that she had directed him to contest from Sylhet-4 and that an official announcement would soon follow.
On the night of 6 November, Ariful returned to Sylhet and officially launched his campaign the following day, Friday (7 November), by offering prayers at the Radhanagar Bazar Jame Mosque in Gowainghat and visiting the grave of late MP Dildar Hossain Selim.
