Formerly expelled Khulna leaders make surprise comeback in BNP polls candidate list

The BNP has announced its primary list of candidates in 237 seats for the upcoming national election, including nominees for five constituencies in Khulna. 

The party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the list following a meeting of the National Standing Committee at the BNP chairperson's office in the capital's Gulshan today (3 November).

Know the names of BNP nominees for 237 seats

For the Khulna constituencies, the party nominated Nazrul Islam Manju for Khulna-2, Rakibul Islam Bakul for Khulna-3, Azizul Bari Helal for Khulna-4, Ali Asgar Lobi for Khulna-5, and Monirul Hasan Bappy for Khulna-6.

Khulna-1 seat remains undecided, with a candidate expected to be announced later.

The announcement comes as a surprise as two of these leaders were previously removed from the party.

Nazrul, nominated for Khulna-2, had been relieved of all BNP posts since 25 December 2021.

Monirul, the Khulna-6 candidate, was removed from his position as district BNP member secretary when the Khulna district committee was dissolved on 19 September 2024.

However, both have now been given party nominations.

In his immediate reaction, Manju said, "Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman called me yesterday, and today my nomination has been formally announced. I must now work to ensure victory for the BNP's symbol, the sheaf of paddy, in Khulna-2. Before that, all party workers and leaders must be brought together."

Monirul said, "Yesterday, I was again appointed acting member secretary of the BNP's Khulna district unit. Today my nomination for the national election was announced. The acting chairman has recognised my contributions and sacrifices for the party."