BNP leaders are scrambling to contain internal dissent ahead of the country’s 13th parliamentary election, as dozens of party figures defy central directives by contesting as independent or rebel candidates.
The party’s high command has issued a firm warning: any BNP leader who fails to withdraw candidacy by the stipulated deadline of 20 January will face strict organisational action, including possible expulsion.
BNP officials say the presence of multiple candidates in constituencies already allocated to party nominees threatens electoral strategy, alliance management and overall discipline at a critical juncture.
With the election approaching, BNP leaders are focused on ensuring victory for candidates contesting under the party’s symbol, the sheaf of paddy. Senior leaders are engaged in strategic discussions on how best to mobilise votes and consolidate organisational strength at the grassroots.
However, those efforts have been complicated by the emergence of a significant number of party leaders who submitted nomination papers despite not receiving official nominations.
According to party sources, many of these candidates are locally popular and long-time activists, but BNP’s leadership insists that individual ambitions must give way to collective interests.
Central leaders are expected to visit constituencies to persuade rebel candidates to step aside, offering assurances of future political consideration if they comply.
The final date for withdrawing nomination papers is 20 January. BNP leaders have made it clear that failure to comply will trigger disciplinary measures under the party constitution, including expulsion.
A top BNP leader told TIMES of Bangladesh that party ideology places the organisation above individuals.
“For BNP, the party comes before the individual, and the country comes before the party. Any action taken against those who damage the party’s image by defying decisions is entirely justified,” the leader said.
He added that repeated instructions had been issued from the centre prohibiting independent candidacies in constituencies where BNP has nominated candidates.
Nationwide, 331 nomination papers have been submitted by BNP-affiliated candidates. Party insiders say that more than a hundred candidates holding party positions have filed papers as independents across over 50 constituencies.
Complicating matters further, BNP has allocated several seats to alliance partners, yet independent BNP candidates have also emerged in some of those constituencies, creating friction with allied parties.
Despite multiple high-level meetings, the party has so far been unable to fully resolve the issue, prompting concerns within the leadership about electoral fragmentation.
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosro Mahmud Chowdhury confirmed the party’s uncompromising position.
“The last date for withdrawal is 20 January. All candidates other than the officially nominated ones must withdraw by then. Anyone who disobeys this decision will face strict organisational action, including expulsion if necessary,” he told TIMES.
Meanwhile, scrutiny of nomination papers by returning officers concludes on 4 January, clearing the way for the next phase of the election process.
BNP has already begun disciplinary action against those who decided to contest in defiance of party instructions, particularly in seats allocated to alliance partners.
Several senior and mid-level leaders have already been expelled for defying party directives. Those removed from the party include Rumeen Farhana, assistant secretary for international affairs; Saiful Alam Nirob, former convener of Dhaka North BNP; and National Executive Committee members Muhammad Giasuddin, Mohammad Shah Alam, Hasan Mamun and Abdul Khaleque.
The list of expelled leaders also includes Tarun Dey, a former vice-president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal who currently serves as secretary general of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front. In addition, Mamunur Rashid, widely known as Cucsu Mamun and vice-president of Sylhet district BNP, has been expelled, along with Mehedi Hasan Palash, president of Bancharampur upazila BNP in Brahmanbaria.
Party sources say further action will follow in phases against remaining rebel candidates.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the leadership would wait until the withdrawal deadline before finalising further measures.
“Politics requires adherence to party decisions. The full list of rebel candidates is still being compiled. After scrutiny and the withdrawal period, anyone who continues in defiance will certainly face organisational action,” he said.
Several independent candidates, however, argue that the rebellion stems from dissatisfaction with the party’s nomination process.
They claim that centrally selected candidates were chosen without proper assessment of local political realities or credible opinion surveys.
According to them, grassroots leaders and supporters in many constituencies do not accept the nominated candidates, believing other local leaders to be more experienced, loyal and electable.
They insist that had a transparent and accurate survey been conducted, the current wave of dissent could have been avoided.
According to the Election Commission’s schedule, candidates may file appeals against scrutiny decisions from 5 to 9 January, with the appeal resolution process set to conclude between 10 and 18 January.
The final date for the withdrawal of candidature is 20 January, after which the list of contesting candidates will be finalised. Symbol allocation will take place on 21 January, formally clearing the way for electioneering.
Official campaigning is scheduled to begin on 22 January, while polling day has been set for 12 February.
