Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, local political calculations in Chattogram have changed overnight due to tensions over BNP nominations and the reorganisation of the Jamaat–NCP–LDP alliance, creating a new political situation.
On one hand, BNP has shifted candidates in several constituencies, including heavyweight figures, while on the other, the inclusion of Colonel Oli Ahmed’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance has altered electoral arithmetic in a number of seats.
In a bid to strengthen its position in Chattogram, BNP has reshuffled candidates in several constituencies in its final nominations. Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has been moved from Halishahar–Pahartali (Chattogram-10) to the strategically important Bandar–Patenga (Chattogram-11) constituency.
At the same time, in Raozan (Chattogram-6), long-time candidate and party Vice Chairman Gias Uddin Qader Chowdhury has been replaced by BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Golam Akbar Khondkar. These last-minute decisions by the party high command have increased unease at the grassroots.
Local BNP sources say that while the reshuffle is strategic, local leaders and activists are reassessing Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury’s position within the party and the vote calculations. Amir Khasru himself had wanted the Chattogram-10 seat, but being shifted to Chattogram-11 meant that party decisions took precedence over the heavyweight candidate’s personal preference.
At the same time, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury had lobbied for his son and political associate Israfil Khasru to receive the nomination in Chattogram-11, but that effort also failed.
Although Amir Khasru was initially given the Chattogram-10 nomination, the last-minute decision to move him to Chattogram-11 disrupted long-standing equations in both constituencies.
Former joint convener of BNP’s Chattogram North district unit Belayet Hossain said Amir Khasru’s son Israfil Khasru had been working in Chattogram-11 for a long time and was an aspirant for the nomination. In his view, considering grassroots engagement, Israfil’s nomination would have been justified.
Meanwhile, the last-minute nomination of Saeed Al Noman, son of the late Abdullah Al Noman, in Chattogram-10 has also changed the electoral calculations and political situation there. Rumours of a change in this seat had been circulating since BNP announced its preliminary nominations.
As a result, some of those who had been hoping for the nomination were left disappointed. City Jubo Dal President Mosharraf Hossain Dipto told The Times of Bangladesh, “I do not know why I was dropped.”
Chattogram-6 (Raozan) is known as a violence-prone area, where influential leader Gias Qader Chowdhury was initially given the nomination. Ultimately, however, BNP awarded the ticket to another central leader, Golam Akbar Khondkar. Golam Akbar Khondkar’s son Tarek Akbar Khondkar told The Times of Bangladesh that the party had changed its decision and nominated his father, making him BNP’s sole candidate in the constituency.
In Raozan, clashes between supporters of Golam Akbar and Gias Qader over the past year have reportedly claimed around 15 lives, and Golam Akbar himself was injured in an attack. On Monday, both candidates submitted nomination papers, each claiming to be the party’s nominee.
New dynamics due to the Jamaat–LDP–NCP alliance
Amid BNP’s internal tensions, a major shift has taken place in the opposition camp with Colonel Oli Ahmed’s LDP joining the Jamaat-led alliance. Nationwide, LDP’s presence is limited, but it retains some influence in southern Chattogram. Although Oli Ahmed has long been known as an opponent of Jamaat, LDP’s last-minute decision to join the Jamaat-led electoral alliance has forced candidates and voters to reassess electoral calculations.
Observers believe this will channel votes from Oli Ahmed’s supporters in Chattogram towards Jamaat, while Jamaat’s backing could help ensure victory for the LDP candidate in Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish and parts of Satkania). This is the first time Jamaat and LDP have become allies in Chattogram.
Chattogram-14 has traditionally been regarded as Colonel Oli’s stronghold. He has contested elections from this constituency multiple times, but this time his son Omar Faruq will run there. Omar Faruq submitted his nomination papers at the Chattogram District Administration Office on Monday.
Chattogram Metropolitan Jamaat Secretary Nurul Amin said the alliance with LDP could strengthen both parties and would create a “new political equation”.
However, Jamaat’s new ally NCP has little presence in Chattogram, and it is still unclear which constituencies NCP candidates will contest there. An NCP source claimed that Chattogram-8 (Boalkhali and Chandgaon) and Bandarban have been allocated to NCP under the alliance. In Chattogram-8, influential Jamaat leader Dr Abu Naser has been campaigning for a long time.
Overall, last-minute decisions have triggered a major realignment in BNP and Jamaat politics in Chattogram. As electoral calculations continue to shift, new candidates are emerging in place of familiar faces.
While voters and supporters are adjusting to the new situation, long-standing candidates are also being tested on their loyalty to party and alliance alike.
