Since the BNP announced its candidates for the national parliamentary election, anger and protests by those denied nominations have continued across the country. With dissatisfaction reaching a peak in more than 40 constituencies, marches, rallies, and even road blockades have taken place. Just yesterday, Saturday, protests occurred in at least eight constituencies. However, under the instructions of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, central leaders are working to resolve the situation.
Party sources say that nomination disputes have weakened local-level unity. Some influential local leaders who were denied nominations are reportedly preparing to run as independent candidates. To contain the situation, BNP’s central leadership has summoned sidelined aspirants from the disputed constituencies to Dhaka for talks. According to sources, there is even a possibility of reconsidering candidates in some constituencies.

Tension in Natore
In Natore-1, protests by Taiful Islam Tipu and his brother Yasir Arshad erupted over the nomination of Farzana Sharmin. Later, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir summoned both of them and issued directives. However, it is unclear whether the dispute has been fully resolved.

Discussions with those denied nominations
In Joypurhat, Rajshahi, Cumilla, Mymensingh, and several other districts, those denied nominations were called in separately, and the party’s position was explained. In some cases, Tarique Rahman himself reportedly joined the discussions.

Protest in Feni
In Feni-2, Alal Uddin, who was denied nomination, sparked online discussion by standing in a paddy field and submitting a symbolic, cricket-style appeal. Later, six more leaders jointly applied for reconsideration of the nomination.

Madaripur-1 nomination suspended
After protests broke out over the announcement of Kamal Zaman’s nomination in Madaripur-1, the party suspended his candidacy. BNP finds itself in a dilemma in finalizing a decision because Kamal Zaman and Lavlu Siddiqui have different bases of support in the area.

Dissatisfaction in Dhaka and elsewhere
Strong reactions continue over nominations in Dhaka-12 and Dhaka-15. Protests—ranging from human chains and torch processions to demonstrations where participants wore funeral shrouds—have taken place in Narayanganj, Cumilla, Chandpur, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Faridpur, Pabna, Rajbari, Magura, Kushtia, Dinajpur, and several constituencies in Chattogram. In some areas, individuals have announced they will run as independents, heightening concern among senior party leaders.

According to responsible BNP sources, the party’s top leadership is facing a complicated situation in the suspended Madaripur-1 nomination. Lavlu Siddiqui has no major allegations against him. A former footballer and a former councillor of a ward in Dhaka, he ran in this constituency in 2018 with the BNP’s nomination but was heavily defeated.

The party’s stance
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed described these protests as the normal competition typical of a large political party. He added that the central leadership is working through discussions to reach a solution.

Speaking to the media, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that anger had emerged in various places following the announcement of nominations because in many constituencies two or three leaders were equally qualified for nomination. “We are talking to them and addressing their grievances,” he said.

Leaders and activists at different levels of the BNP say that although there is internal frustration over nominations, emphasis is being placed on maintaining unity. Those left out are being called in sequentially to help prevent further protests. However, several leaders believe that the nomination of “elite-preferred” (influentially backed) candidates in some constituencies is the main cause of the unrest. These grievances, protests, road blockades, and fears of rebel candidates are increasing pressure on the party’s leadership. If the situation isn’t defused, many may decide to run as independents — something leaders worry could split the BNP vote.
Report-bangladeshguardian.com