BNP names nominations for 237 seats: Khaleda back to polls as Tarique debuts
The party announced a primary list of candidates for 237 constituencies following a meeting of its National Standing Committee today.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to contest from Dinajpur-3, Bogura-7, and Feni-1 constituencies, while the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been nominated for Bogura-6 in the upcoming 13th national election to be held in February.
The party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced a primary list of candidates for 237 constituencies following a meeting of the National Standing Committee at the BNP chairperson's office in the capital's Gulshan today (3 November).
Fakhrul said the list represents possible nominees and may be revised later.
Among other notable candidates are Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan for Chuadanga-2, former Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Abdul Awal Mintoo for Feni-3, and BNP leader Ishraque Hossain for Dhaka-6.
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Seven constituencies in Dhaka have been left vacant, sparking speculation over which allies the BNP might share these seats with.
Shafiqul Islam to contest Dhaka-15 seat against Jamaat chief
BNP leader and former Jubo Dal general secretary Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton has been nominated for the Dhaka-15 constituency.
In this constituency, he will face Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman as his main rival, sources said.
Fazlur Rahman nominated for Kishoreganj-4
BNP leader Md Fazlur Rahman has been nominated for the Kishoreganj-4 constituency.
Fazlur, who joined the BNP in 2007, previously served as the president of the party's Kishoreganj district unit for nearly eight years.
He contested twice from Kishoreganj-4 during what he termed as the repressive rule of the then Awami League government. During that time, he reportedly faced political harassment and legal cases, including a sedition charge, which eventually forced him to remain abroad for an extended period.
List announced after Standing Committee meeting
The Standing Committee meeting began at 12:30pm and ended around 5:30pm. Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting virtually from London.
Apart from Fakhrul, those present at the meeting were Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Selina Rahman, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
The party's divisional organising secretaries were also present at the office during the meeting.
The meeting came a day after Tarique, during a programme yesterday (2 November), announced that BNP would soon release the first phase of its nomination list while launching the party's new online payment gateway for membership renewal and registration.
Virtually addressing the programme, Tarique said it is not possible to nominate everyone, and BNP has also decided to support some candidates from other democratic parties that took part in the anti-fascist movement alongside BNP.
"Because of this, some BNP candidacy hopefuls may not get party nominations," he said.
He urged all BNP leaders, workers, and supporters to accept this reality in the greater interest of the country, the people, and democracy.
"Whoever receives the nomination, please work unitedly to ensure their victory. Remember, a hidden dictatorship with secret ambitions is lurking around you. So do not let petty resentments, quarrels or disputes among yourselves reach a level where the opponent can take advantage of your differences," Tarique warned.
Party insiders said Tarique had held discussions with potential candidates from different divisions over the past two weeks at the chairperson's office. He instructed all aspirants to support whoever is officially nominated with the party's 'sheaf of paddy' symbol.
