With the parliamentary election approaching, Chattogram BNP sees a tense situation as party has yet to announce candidates for two of the four parliamentary constituencies in the port city – Chattogram-9 and Chattogram-11.
Ahead of the 13th parliamentary election, the BNP has named candidates in 16 of the 23 seats in Chattogram, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox’s Bazar.
However, after the announcement, discontent and protests have erupted in more than half of these constituencies, with demands to replace candidates. Under pressure from those deprived of nominations, the high command has decided to change the candidate only in the Sitakunda seat. The previously announced decisions for the other constituencies remain unchanged.
Uncertainty over which two leaders will finally be selected for the Chattogram-9 and Chattogram-11 seats has become the main topic of discussion among grassroots workers.
Party sources say that at least six nomination seekers are actively lobbying for these two seats. They are competing to stay ahead in all areas—public outreach in the constituency, communication with central leaders and building acceptability among the party’s policymakers. As a result, conflicts, grouping and pressure to maintain positions at the local level have increased even further. The party high command has already finalised two names for two other seats in the city.
A party policymaker said that the decision was taken after reviewing all aspects, including the candidates’ popularity, field presence, organisational capability and the current political strategy. The final nominations are expected to be announced in the first week of December.
Following the announcement of candidates on 3 November, Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) saw a great surprise. There, instead of the influential Aslam Chowdhury, his former follower Kazi Salauddin was nominated. Since then, Aslam’s supporters have erupted in anger. They have been staging continuous programmes, including blocking roads, in demand of Aslam’s nomination.
Aslam has stated that he will contest the election “no matter what”. According to several reliable BNP sources, the central BNP has now decided to nominate the former joint secretary general with the ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol. The formal announcement is expected later this month along with the remaining seven seats.
Meanwhile, protests are also ongoing demanding candidate changes in Ukhiya–Teknaf, Anwara–Karnaphuli, Fatikchhari, Banshkhali, Patiya, Hathazari, Mirsarai and Bandarban. However, no further changes will be made in those constituencies, according to party insiders.
A central committee leader, wishing to remain anonymous, said that the standing committee has decided only to replace Kazi Salauddin with Aslam Chowdhury in Sitakunda. No other changes will be made for now.
It is also known that candidates for the remaining seven constituencies in the Chattogram region have already been finalised. They are: Mostafa Kamal Pasha in Chattogram-3 (Sandwip); Gias Kader Chowdhury in Chattogram-6 (Raozan); Abu Sufian in Chattogram-9 (Bakalia–Chawk Bazar); Israfil Khasru in Chattogram-11 (Port); Nazmul Mostafa in Chattogram-15 (Satkania–Lohagara); and Almgir Mohammad Mahfuzullah Farid in Cox’s Bazar-2 (Kutubdia–Moheshkhali). Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish–part of Satkania) has been left for Omar Faruk, son of LDP leader Colonel (Retd) Oli Ahmed.
Meanwhile, supporters of several nomination seekers continue their protests. There are rumours that some deprived candidates in Banshkhali, Patiya, and Ukhiya–Teknaf, including Layakat Ali, former MP Shahjahan Jewel and M Abdullah—may contest as rebel candidates. Heavyweight leader Leyakat Ali from Banshkhali has already announced that he will run as an independent. If Aslam Chowdhury is reinstated in Sitakunda, Kazi Salauddin may also decide to run independently.
The BNP high command is reportedly considering ways to reward loyal leaders deprived of nominations. There is a possibility that the Chattogram city BNP committee will be restructured with Abul Hashem Bakkar—nomination seeker for Chattogram-9—as president, and Nazimur Rahman—nomination seeker for Chattogram-11—as secretary. Nazimur Rahman is currently the member secretary, while convener Ershad Ullah is the BNP candidate from Chattogram-8.
Meanwhile, the Chattogram North district committee has long remained defunct. Before the election, a partial committee may be formed for this unit. Those in consideration for top positions include Mohammad Nurul Amin (Mirsarai), Colonel (Retd) Azimullah Bahar Chowdhury (Fatikchhari), and Engineer Belayet Hossain (Sandwip).
However, when asked about this, BNP central Organisational Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shamim said that there is little chance of forming any new committee before the election. “We are currently focused on nominations and the election. You can expect the final list of candidates within a few days,” he said.
The BNP is leaving only one seat for its alliance partners in the entire Chattogram region, causing resentment among leaders of the allied parties. In Patiya—considered a stronghold of Hefazat-e-Islam—its central joint secretary general and secretary general of a faction of Nezame Islam Party, Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi, expected a nomination. Likewise, Maulana Nasiruddin Monir, central joint secretary general of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, was seeking the nomination in Hathazari. The BNP has already finalised candidates for both seats, angering leaders and activists of the two Islamic parties within the alliance. General (retd) Hasan Sohrabardi, from NCP, was also an aspirant in Sandwip.
Claiming Hathazari as a stronghold of Islamic scholars, former Hathazari upazila vice-chairman Maulana Nasir Uddin Munir said the BNP should have left the seat for them.
“As a representative of the ulema, I have been working in this constituency for a long time. I am also the central joint secretary general of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam within the BNP alliance. I have spent years in prison for participating in movements against the fascist Hasina regime,” he said.
He added, “We believe the BNP will change the candidate and nominate me. Even if the alliance does not give me the nomination, I will contest the election—no matter what.”
Candidate list
The BNP candidates in the ten constituencies of Chattogram district are: Chattogram-1 Nurul Amin Chairman; Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir; Chattogram-4 Kazi Salauddin; Chattogram-5 Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin; Chattogram-7 Hummam Quader Chowdhury; Chattogram-8 Ershad Ullah; Chattogram-10 Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury; Chattogram-11 Enamul Haque Enam; Chattogram-13 (Anwara–Karnaphuli) Sarwar Nizam.
In the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Wadud Bhuiyan in Khagrachhari, Saching Prue Jerry in Bandarban, and Dipen Talukder in Rangamati have been nominated.
In Cox’s Bazar, Salahuddin Ahmed in Chakaria–Pekua, Shahjahan Chowdhury in Ukhiya–Teknaf, and Lutfuzzaman Kajol in the Sadar seat are the final BNP candidates.
