As Bangladesh prepares for its 12th national parliamentary election, the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), officially decided not to participate, citing reasons such as partiality and non-cooperation from the government.
Despite the party's stance, a notable divergence has emerged within its ranks, as at least 33 former and current BNP leaders have chosen to defy the party's decision, participate independently or align themselves with other political entities in the upcoming polls.
The most prominent one is the decision of former BNP vice chairman, Shahjahan Omar, to sever ties with the party. Shahjahan Omar has chosen to contest the elections with the ticket of his arch-rival, the Awami League, aiming to secure the Jhalakathi-1 seat with Boat symbol.
13 candidates in Trinamool BNP
Meanwhile, some 13 more BNP leaders left to join Trinamool BNP and contest the January 7 polls.
Trinamool BNP Chairperson Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, who was a former vice chairman of BNP, is contesting the election from Sylhet-6 Constituency.
Trinamool BNP General Secretary Taimur Alam Khandkar, former advisor to BNP Chairperson, is contesting in Narayanganj-1 seat.
Additionally, former BNP MP MM Shaheen (Moulvibazar-2), former BNP MP Nuruddin Ahmed (Jhenaidah-2), former MP of BNP Abdul Gani (Meherpur-2), former vice president of Chittagong North BNP Nazim Uddin (Chittagong-5), former vice president of Alamdanga upazila unit BNP Taijul Haque (Chuadanga-1), former vice president of Haripur upazila Mozaffar Ahmed (Thakurgaon-2), vice president of Nationalist Lawyers Forum Abdul Qadir Talukder (Chandpur-4) Gazipur Metropolitan BNP leader Jabbar Sarkar (Gazipur-1), upazila BNP former president Abdul Aziz (Panchagarh-2), Sherpur District BNP Assistant Secretary Md Zaidur Rashid (Sherpur-2), upazila BNP member Khandkar Wahid Murad (Tangail-6) will also contest the polls with Trinamool BNP’s ticket.
6 joins BNM to contest polls
Six more people joined Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) to contest the polls.
Former MP Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar (Faridpur-1), former MP Abdur Rahman (Barguna-2), former MP Dewan Shamsul Abedin (Sunamganj-4), former general secretary of Rajshahi district BNP Matiur Rahman (Rajshahi-3), Chapainawabganj district BNP joint convener and former municipal mayor Abdul Matin (Chapainawabganj-3), and former district BNP member Mohammad Abdullah (Sherpur-1).
13 independent candidates
Additionally, 13 more leaders disobeyed the party instructions and decided to run as independent candidate.
Former vice chairman of BNP Shaukat Mahmud is contesting as an independent candidate in Comilla-5 seat while BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Syed AK Ekramuzzaman is contesting from Brahmanbaria-1 seat.
Former leader of BNP executive committee Abul Kashem Fakhrul has become an independent candidate for Jhalakathi-1 while former BNP executive committee member Khandkar Ahsan Habib is vying for Tangail-5 seat.
The other independent candidates are Ziaul Haque Mollah is contesting in Bogra-4 and Mohammad Shokrana (Bogra-1), Beauty Begum (Bogra-2), Sarkar Badal (Bogra-7), Shah Shahid Sarwar (Mymensingh-2), Delwar Hossain Khan (Mymensingh-4), Khandkar Anwarul Haque (Tangail-1), Akhtaruzzaman (Kishoreganj-2), and Mahabubul Hasan (Jamalpur-1).
