Sunamganj BNP faces internal dissent as several leaders plan independent runs

Signs of internal dissent have emerged within the BNP in Sunamganj over party nominations, with several leaders announcing plans to contest the upcoming election as independent candidates.

Ignoring the party's nomination decisions, a number of BNP leaders who were denied nominations have collected nomination forms from the Election Commission. Some of them have said they will contest the election under any circumstances, indicating growing internal resistance in the haor district.

Out of Sunamganj's five parliamentary constituencies, five BNP leaders who were denied party tickets have collected nomination forms in three constituencies alongside the party-nominated candidates. Their nomination forms were collected by party activists and supporters on their behalf.

Of them, one leader collected nomination papers in Sunamganj-3, three in Sunamganj-4, and one in Sunamganj-5 to contest as independent candidates, according to district returning and assistant returning officer offices.

The latest such development came on Thursday (25 December), when nomination papers were collected on behalf of BNP central executive committee member Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury for the Sunamganj-5 (Chhatak–Dowarabazar) constituency.

The BNP has nominated its central assistant organising secretary Kalim Uddin Milon as the party candidate for the seat.

However, Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, a member of the Sunamganj district BNP convening committee and former chairman of Chhatak Upazila Parishad, had been seeking the party nomination for Sunamganj-5. He had received the BNP nomination in the constituency in the 2018 general election.

After the party awarded the ticket to former MP and district BNP convener Kalim Uddin Milon, Mizanur's supporters began demanding a review of the party's decision. With no response so far, nomination papers were collected on Mizanur's behalf on Thursday.

Speaking about the matter, Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury said he is currently staying in Dhaka and that party leaders and activists collected the nomination forms on his behalf.

"They want me to contest the election," he said.

Meanwhile, former district BNP vice-president Barrister Anowar Hossain has announced plans to contest as an independent candidate in the Sunamganj-3 constituency, while former district BNP vice-president and former chairman of Sunamganj Sadar Upazila Parishad Dewan Zainul Zakerin has made a similar announcement for Sunamganj-4.

For Sunamganj-3 (Jagannathpur and Shantiganj upazilas), the BNP has nominated central committee member and UK BNP general secretary Mohammad Kaisar Ahmed. Barrister Anowar Hossain, who was denied the party ticket, has collected nomination forms from the Election Commission for the seat.

He confirmed that he will contest the election as an independent candidate.

In Sunamganj-4 (Sunamganj Sadar and Bishwambarpur upazilas), the BNP has nominated former district general secretary and current convening committee member Nurul Islam Nurul.

However, three leaders have collected nomination forms as rebel candidates in the constituency: former district BNP vice-president Dewan Zainul Zakerin; former district Jubo Dal president and BNP district convening committee member Abul Mansur Mohammad Shawkat; and BNP district convening committee member Barrister Abidul Haque, son of late former MP Advocate Mohammad Fazlul Haque Aspia.

Barrister Abidul Haque said his father had worked for the people of the area and that he has been preparing to contest the election.

"I will take a final decision on the 29th," he said.

Abul Mansur Mohammad Shawkat said he has been working at the grassroots level for a long time with the aim of contesting the parliamentary election.

"The nomination form has been collected, but I will announce my final decision after a few more days," he said.

Dewan Zainul Zakerin said at a recent meeting at his residence that he wants to work for the people by addressing what he described as long-standing discrimination against Sunamganj, particularly in education, health, and healthcare services.

He said he has decided to contest the election to remain with the people for the rest of his life.