In the upcoming parliamentary election, BNP is bracing for major challenges in securing victories for alliance partners in the seats it has set aside for them.
The challenge arises from two fronts – the requirement that all candidates must contest under their own party symbols and the increasing non-cooperation from BNP’s local leaders and activists.
Senior BNP figures, as well as leaders from allied parties, acknowledge these concerns.
They say the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO) obliges candidates within an alliance to run using their respective party symbols, placing smaller parties under considerable pressure.
Many leaders from smaller parties had hoped to benefit from the electoral strength and symbol recognition of a larger ally, seeing an advantage in the familiar branding and political weight of major party symbols.
Concerned about the vulnerability of smaller partners, BNP has opposed the RPO amendment from the outset. During its recent meeting with the Election Commission on 19 November, BNP representatives again criticised the provision.
BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman told TIMES of Bangladesh, “By forcing candidates to contest under their own symbols, it has become difficult to ensure victory for small-party nominees.
“Nevertheless, BNP will make every effort to secure these seats for its alliance partners. Long-standing BNP aspirants in those constituencies may be disappointed, but they will work in the party’s interest.”
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party has discussed the expectations of both alliance partners and BNP’s own nomination hopefuls.
“We will sit again to resolve the issue of seat distribution. We are monitoring conditions in each constituency, and the concerns of those denied nominations will also be addressed,” he said.
Despite such assurances, many BNP aspirants remain reluctant to accept alliance candidates in reserved seats.
They argue that after nearly 17 years of cases, attacks and political pressure, they see little reason to work for alliance nominees – especially when many allied leaders did not maintain communication with BNP activists during difficult periods.
Multiple sources say BNP announced a list of potential candidates in 237 out of 300 seats on 3 November, leaving 63 seats vacant for further review and possible allocation to alliance partners.
Alliance partners from the joint anti-government movement have submitted 168 nomination applications.
These include – 40 from five of the six parties in the Democracy Platform (Ganatantra Mancha), 21 from the 12-Party Alliance, nine from the Nationalist Like-Minded Alliance and 19 from the Democratic Left Unity.
In addition, requests were submitted for 13 seats from the LDP, 25 from the Gono Odhikar Parishad, 16 from the Gono Forum, 10 from the NDM, five from the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), six from the Bangladesh Labour Party, and four from the Bangladesh People’s Party (BPP).
Sources within BNP say discussions are under way at the highest level on how many seats should be allocated to partners in the joint anti-fascist movement against the Awami League. Meanwhile, BNP’s own nomination hopefuls are lobbying intensively for the vacant seats, deepening internal competition.
Several BNP leaders have already declared that they will not work for alliance candidates if they are denied the party nomination. In some constituencies, even speculation of a “green signal” for alliance nominees has triggered sharp discontent among local BNP units.
It is understood that Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur may receive the BNP nomination in Patuakhali-3.
The possibility has angered supporters of strong BNP aspirant and former Chhatra Dal leader Hasan Mamun, who have publicly stated that they will not campaign for Nur if he is nominated.
In Brahmanbaria-2, rumours that Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam leader Junayed Al-Habib might be chosen, have intensified tensions. In response, BNP aspirant and prominent party figure Rumeen Farhana recently said on a talk show that she may contest independently if denied a BNP nomination.
In Bogura-2, the potential nomination of Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna has sparked strong reactions from supporters of BNP’s Shah Alam, who have vowed not to support any alliance candidate there.
In Jashore-5 (Manirampur), speculation that Jamiat leader Rashid Wakkas may be nominated has angered local BNP activists.
They claim he has not taken part in any political struggle for 17 years and warn that nominating him would risk losing the seat. Local BNP leaders have already lobbied three top BNP figures to oppose the move.
In Lakshmipur-1, LDP Chairman and 12-Party Alliance spokesperson Shahadat Hossain Selim has reportedly received the green signal. However, supporters of BNP aspirant Harun-or-Rashid are questioning whether local BNP activists will ultimately campaign for Selim.
In Dhaka-17, BJP Chairman Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha is under consideration; in Dhaka-13, NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj; and in Brahmanbaria-6, Ganasanghati chief coordinator Jonaid Saki.
BNP has not yet nominated any candidate in these seats, where local activists are reportedly deeply dissatisfied.
BNP is expected to finalise nominations soon. Party insiders say many frustrated BNP leaders may choose to contest as independents in alliance-allocated seats—severely complicating the prospects for alliance partners.
National People’s Party (NCP) Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad, a BNP nomination hopeful in Narail-2, told TIMES, “Smaller parties will inevitably be disadvantaged by the rule requiring the use of their own symbols.
“Many voters are still unfamiliar with these symbols, so small-party candidates will face additional challenges in winning.”
On the issue of local BNP cooperation, he added, “If the party high command takes a firm stance, I hope major problems can be avoided.”
