The Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) has announced a 201-member committee ahead of the 12th national parliamentary polls.
However, the name of the new chairman of the party has not been announced.
A new surprise is coming to the post of chairman, said Md Shahjahan, the party's new secretary general and spokesperson.
During a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday, he said the “surprise” would be announced within two-three days.
Former BNP MP Shah Md Abu Zafar (Faridpur-1 constituency) has been made the vice chairman of the new committee of 201 members. Therefore, he will serve as the acting chairman of the new committee until the chairman is announced.
The other members include Md Abdul Wahab (former member of parliament, Jhenaidah-1), Dewan Shamsul Abedin (former member of Parliament, Sunamganj-4) and Professor Abdur Rahman (former member of parliament, Barguna-2).
Shahjahan said that the members of the previous ruling three government parties have joined the party.
“We will field candidates for 300 seats in the upcoming elections. We will select candidates who are qualified, trusted by the people in their respective areas for each seat. So far we have 90 people under our consideration. They will return if they get nominated,” he added.
In response to a question about the rumours of BNP Vice-Chairman Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed’s joining BNM as Chairman, Spokesperson Shahjahan said: "We have never said that Major Hafiz is taking the responsibility of the chairman of this party or is coming or will come.But we're sure there will be a surprise.”
He also said the chairman of the party will surely be of national and international level, and is a very popular person in politics.
“We expect the announcement to be made within the next 2-3 days,” added Shahjahan
Meanwhile, in response to the journalists' questions about the debut of the new committee within five days after the announcement of the schedule, the secretary general of the new committee said they have been working on organizing the party since 2019.
BNM to participate in polls as opposition party of Awami League
When asked whether BNM will participate in the national polls as an alliance and with discussion with the ruling party, Shahjahan told the Dhaka Tribune that they will hold elections as a completely neutral and opposition party.
There will be no compromise or discussion with the ruling party.
“We will work with a pledge to build a safe country for the people of Bangladesh. We will not do any farce election,” he said.
Distribution of nomination forms starts
Md Shahjahan said that the party has started the sale of nomination forms at the new office of the party in Gulshan. The nomination fee has been fixed at Tk6,000.
Initially, Tk1,000 must be paid at the time of purchasing the nomination form and rest money has to be submitted with the nomination paper.
Several hundreds of BNM leaders and activists attended the press conference.
Who is the new vice chairman of BNM?
BNM's vice chairman Md Shah Abu Zafar was an executive member of BNP and a former labour leader.
He was elected Member of Parliament from Faridpur-1 constituency (Madhukhali, Boalmari, Alfadanga) as a candidate of BNP in 2004 by-elections.
Abu Jafar had earlier been elected from Faridpur-1 constituency in the national parliamentary elections with Awami League's boat symbol and plough symbol.
It should be noted that Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) was registered as a political party in the Election Commission (EC) on August 10.
The party symbol of BNM is the anchor.
