The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is pushing for single candidates in the upcoming local government elections, but growing competition among grassroots leaders and efforts by lawmakers to promote their own political camps are complicating the process.
In almost every Union Parishad, multiple BNP leaders are expressing interest in contesting the chairperson’s post. In some unions, three or four potential candidates are already preparing to enter the race.
In the Motobi Union of Feni Sadar Upazila, at least nine BNP leaders and supporters are currently interested in or actively preparing to contest the chairperson’s post.
Similar activities involving multiple potential candidates have been reported in many other unions across the country, raising concerns within the party that bringing unsuccessful contenders behind a single BNP-backed candidate could prove difficult once the election schedule is announced.
The BNP central leadership fears that multiple candidates could split the party vote and revive the internal conflicts seen during the national election, when rebel BNP candidates contested in 72 constituencies.
The effects of those rivalries are still visible in several areas. Party leaders fear that similar divisions in the local elections could undermine organisational unity and give Jamaat-e-Islami and other contenders an opportunity to gain ground.
Against this backdrop, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has repeatedly instructed party leaders, activists and lawmakers to remain united.
He has stressed the need to support one honest, competent, popular and acceptable candidate in each locality. He has also called for reducing tensions between party leaders and MPs and warned against fielding rebel candidates outside the party’s decision.
However, there is a clear gap between the central directive and the reality on the ground.
Even before the election schedule is announced, potential candidates have begun strengthening their positions through public outreach. Many are travelling to Dhaka to seek support from local MPs and maintain regular contact with them at Parliament, their offices and residences.
They believe an MP’s political influence in the constituency could play a significant role in the local elections.
A section of BNP grassroots leaders, however, is concerned about candidates being selected primarily on the basis of MPs’ preferences.
They fear that if lawmakers promote close associates or loyalists, leaders outside their camps may decide to contest independently, potentially splitting the BNP vote and triggering fresh conflicts at the local level.
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the party has not yet issued any formal organisational directive regarding local-level candidacies.
However, he said Tarique Rahman has been instructing district and metropolitan leaders during consultation meetings to work for party unity and support single candidates.
BNP Joint Secretary General Emran Saleh Prince said: “The BNP will support those who have popularity and acceptability at the local level—that is our declared position.”
Party organisational leaders said local popularity, acceptability, organisational standing and past political activities would be taken into consideration when selecting candidates.
For Union Parishad elections, upazila-level leaders will play a role in the selection process, while district leaders will be involved in selecting candidates at the upazila level. Any disputes will initially be addressed at the district and divisional levels, with the central leadership intervening if necessary.
There is also concern within the party over the growing influence of MPs.
BNP Rajshahi Divisional Organising Secretary Syed Shaheen Shawkat said interference by lawmakers could become a cause for concern.
Emphasising that the party is bigger than any individual, he said the central leadership would be informed if any MP went too far in promoting his own camp or “own men”.
The lingering divisions from the national election are already affecting preparations in several constituencies, including Natore-1 and Mymensingh-11.
Supporters of incumbent MPs and followers of rebel candidates from the national election are seeking to field their preferred candidates in the local polls. Unless compromises are reached, multiple BNP candidates could enter the race in these areas.
The internal dynamics within the BNP have become even more significant as rival parties step up their activities ahead of the local elections.
Potential Jamaat-e-Islami candidates are already active in several areas. There is also discussion among BNP grassroots leaders that many leaders of the now-banned Awami League may seek to contest the elections as independents.
If the BNP vote is divided, rival candidates could directly benefit.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission plans to begin the local government election process with Union Parishad elections toward the end of the year.
Preparations are underway to announce the schedule by September. Of the roughly 4,500 Union Parishads across the country, the plan is to hold the first phase of voting in those eligible for elections.
According to the EC’s calculations, Union Parishad voting could begin toward the end of November.
Local Government Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan said: “The government will provide 100% cooperation to the Election Commission in holding a free and fair election. Who wins or loses is not the government’s concern. The government wants to make the election acceptable and keep it free from political influence.”