BNP is pushing ahead with preparations for the 13th parliamentary election despite uphill challenges posed by Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s critical health condition.
Senior party leaders, who remain preoccupied at the city’s Evercare Hospital to oversee Khaleda’s treatment, are simultaneously moving forward with election activities.
The BNP high command has once again instructed potential candidates to continue working in their constituencies, reaffirming earlier directives for them to stay active in the field. Party sources say maintaining electoral momentum, alongside the chairperson’s treatment, has become a priority for the leadership.
Khaleda Zia has been under the close supervision of local and foreign specialists at Evercare Hospital since she was admitted to the facility on 23 November. With her condition showing little improvement, BNP leaders and activists remain under stress.
The party had planned to launch a nationwide “Moshal Roadshow” from the historic Kalurghat Radio Centre in Chattogram on 1 December, culminating in a grand rally in Dhaka on 16 December. However, the programme was deferred due to the unchanged health condition of the former prime minister.
BNP’s election-related activities across the country had also slowed temporarily, but that stagnation gradually disappeared. The party has resumed events such as speeches, statements, rallies, discussions, public meetings, and press conferences.
BNP leaders believe the party must remain fully prepared for the election while ensuring the medical care of its chairperson.
On 4 December, BNP published the names of a second batch of potential candidates for 36 constituencies, following the first list of 237 aspirants released on 3 November.
Party insiders say BNP will continue all planned programmes until the announcement of the election schedule. Once the schedule is declared, the party will move into full campaign mode with its allies and candidates. Many aspirants have already intensified their constituency outreach.
Commenting on the issue, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Our organisational activities continue. The party is prepared for the election. The election must be held on time – there is no alternative.
“Our prospective candidates are busy with campaign work. After discussions, the remaining constituencies will soon be finalised.”
Top BNP leaders have already been seen campaigning at the grassroots level, including Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas in Dhaka-8, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy in Dhaka-3, Ishraque Hossain in Dhaka-6, Salahuddin Ahmed in Cox’s Bazar-1, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in Chattogram-10, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku in Sirajganj-2, and Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed in Bhola-3.
Other potential candidates have also begun campaigning in their areas, seeking votes for the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol while requesting prayers for Khaleda Zia’s recovery.
Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said, “We are in the electoral process. We have announced candidates for another 36 seats. Except for unavoidable reasons, we do not intend to step away from the election.
“Nor do we want any delay. We have demanded the immediate announcement of the schedule.”
Another Standing Committee member, Selima Rahman, told TIMES, “Our chairperson is suffering from health complications, and everyone is praying for her recovery. But party activities continue normally. Nothing is stagnant inside the party.”
So far, BNP has announced aspirants for 272 of the 300 seats in two phases, leaving only 28 constituencies vacant. Party leaders say the remaining seats will soon be announced.
Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said, “There is no justification for postponing the election. We are moving ahead with preparations for February.”
