At least 83 constituencies across the country have seen rebel candidates from within the BNP emerge as a major challenge to the party’s officially nominated candidates.
With multiple dissenting contenders in the fray, concerns are mounting that the BNP’s vote bank could split, handing a direct advantage to rival alliance candidates and potentially altering outcomes in several seats.
Party sources say many leaders denied nominations have defied central directives and entered the race as independent candidates. The BNP has so far expelled 83 such leaders for breaching party discipline.
However, strategists fear these locally influential figures, each with an established support base, could siphon votes from official nominees, creating uncertainty even in constituencies previously considered safe.
According to party insiders, the BNP made extensive efforts to persuade the rebel candidates to withdraw. Several rounds of talks were held, and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman personally contacted a number of key independents, particularly in seats allocated to alliance partners under negotiated seat-sharing arrangements. While some candidates withdrew at his request, most remained in the contest, defying party instructions and facing expulsion.
Analysts note that rebel candidates often enjoy stronger grassroots recognition, having remained active in local politics for years. By contrast, some official nominees—despite their national profiles—are relatively unfamiliar to local party workers and voters. In addition, ahead of the election, several leaders from other parties have joined the BNP and are contesting under the party’s sheaf of paddy symbol, fuelling resentment among grassroots activists.
The combined effect could fragment the BNP vote and create openings for opposition alliance candidates.
In Dhaka, three of the city’s 15 constituencies still feature BNP rebel candidates: Dhaka-7, Dhaka-12, and Dhaka-14.
In Dhaka-7 (Lalbagh–Chawkbazar–Banshal–Kamrangirchar and part of Kotwali), BNP nominee Hamidur Rahman faces intra-party competition from Ishak Sarkar, former organising secretary of the Jubo Dal central committee. The Jamaat alliance candidate is Haji Md Enayet Ullah. Local observers say Rahman faces a difficult contest.
In Dhaka-12 (Tejgaon Industrial Area–Hatirjheel and parts of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar), the BNP is backing Saiful Haq of the Revolutionary Workers’ Party, while expelled BNP leader Saiful Alam Nirab remains in the race as an independent.
Nirab was expelled on December 30 for defying party discipline. The Jamaat alliance candidate is former Chhatra Shibir president Saiful Alam. Local voters say Nirab is in a strong position.
In Dhaka-14 (Mirpur–Shah Ali–Darus Salam), Syed Abu Bakar Siddique (Saju), a former Darus Salam BNP convener and son of former MP SA Khalek, is contesting independently against BNP nominee Sanjida Islam (Tuli), coordinator of the families of enforced disappearance victims’ platform Mayer Dak. Saju has been expelled for defying party directives. The Jamaat candidate is Mir Ahmad bin Kasem Arman, also a victim of enforced disappearance. Voters say Saju currently appears to be in the strongest position.
Outside Dhaka, internal divisions are also evident in Noakhali-6 (Hatia), where BNP Organising Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shamim is the official nominee. Three rebel candidates—former Hatia Upazila BNP general secretary Tanvir Uddin Rajib, former upazila BNP president and ex-MP Engineer Fazlul Azim, and his wife Shamima Azim—are also contesting. Local sources describe the situation as a manifestation of long-standing internal factionalism within the Hatia BNP.
Meanwhile, 10-party alliance candidate and NCP leader Hannan Masud has been active in the area since the mass uprising, capitalising on BNP infighting to strengthen his campaign, according to local observers.
Explaining his decision to contest, rebel candidate Tanvir Uddin Rajib said: “I have worked closely with BNP grassroots activists for a long time and stood by the people of Hatia in both joy and hardship. With their support and consent, I decided to contest this election.”
Other notable constituencies with BNP rebels include Noakhali-2, where BNP National Executive Committee member and former upazila chairman Kazi Mofizur Rahman is contesting against the party’s nominee, former opposition chief whip Zainul Abedin Faruk, and NCP candidate Sultan Zakaria.
In Patuakhali-3, expelled BNP leader Hasan Mamun is contesting as an independent candidate. A BNP Central Committee member and former president of the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal, Hasan Mamun entered the race despite the party’s decision not to field a candidate in support of alliance partner Nurul Haq Nur, president of Gan Adhikar Parishad. He was expelled for defying the party directive.
Commenting on the issue, Nurul Haq Nur said: “Hasan Mamun and his supporters have been creating trouble and even resorting to attacks to disrupt the election environment. The party has taken action against him. I am confident about my victory.”
A similar situation has emerged in Jhinaidah-4, where Saiful Islam Firoz is contesting as an independent candidate. A BNP member from Jhinaidah district and former senior joint general secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Sangsad Volunteer Force central committee, Firoz defied the party’s decision to support Rashed Khan, general secretary of Gan Adhikar Parishad, who is contesting under the sheaf of paddy symbol.
“I have entered the race with the support of local people. Inshallah, the voters will ensure my victory,” Firoz said.
Rebel BNP candidates are also active in Dinajpur-5, Rajshahi-5, Natore-1, Bagerhat-1, Gopalganj-2, Madaripur-1, and several constituencies in Mymensingh, Narayanganj, Brahmanbaria, Sunamganj, and Comilla. Voter feedback suggests that in many of these seats, rebel candidates and opposition alliance nominees are currently better placed than official BNP contenders.
