An explosive allegation by a senior leader of ruling BNP has sent ripples through political circles, raising fresh concerns about transparency, internal accountability, and the growing role of money in party nominations.
Fatema Badshah, a long-standing figure in BNP women’s wing, has claimed that she was directly asked to pay Tk12 crore in exchange for securing a seat in parliament.
The allegation, which she made while speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, has triggered significant discussion within political ranks, particularly in Chattogram, where she has been an active political figure for decades.
According to Fatema, a group of individuals travelled from Dhaka to Chattogram in a microbus to meet her in person. During the meeting, she alleges, they made a straightforward demand: pay Tk12 crore, and her nomination for a reserved women’s seat—and subsequent position as a member of parliament—would be guaranteed.
However, she says the proposal did not end there.
When she refused to pay the money, the group allegedly offered an alternative arrangement. Under this proposal, she would still be allowed to become an MP but would have to sign documents in advance approving development allocations assigned to her as a member of parliament. In reality, she claims, control over those funds would remain with the group, enabling them to extract money through those projects.
“It would mean I would be nothing more than a puppet,” she said. “My hands and feet would be tied. That is not why I entered politics.”
She says she rejected both proposals outright.
Fatema has been involved in politics for nearly four decades and currently serves as a central joint secretary of the BNP women’s wing. She describes herself as a grassroots organiser who rose through the ranks through sustained effort and personal sacrifice.
Over the years, she says, she travelled extensively across eight districts in the Chattogram division, often using her own resources to organise party structures and strengthen grassroots networks.
“I have worked without expecting personal gain,” she said. “But today, there is no recognition for that sacrifice.”
She also spoke of a long-standing sense of deprivation, repeatedly referring to what she described as an “invisible force” that she believes has prevented her from receiving due recognition within the party.
“I do not know who they are,” she said. “But they control everything. Merit and dedication no longer matter.”
Fatema claims she possesses the names, identities, and phone numbers of those who approached her. However, despite repeated questioning, she declined to make those details public.
This reluctance leaves her claims difficult to independently verify, even as their seriousness continues to draw attention.
Beyond the allegation itself, her remarks shed light on broader tensions within party structures. She criticised what she sees as the growing influence of leaders from outside Chattogram in shaping local politics.
“If people from other districts are brought in to run Chattogram, then what is the role of local leaders?” she asked.
Her comments reflect a wider concern about centralised control within political parties and the marginalisation of grassroots leadership.
Party response: distancing rather than probing
Senior BNP leaders in Chattogram have largely distanced themselves from the controversy, offering little indication that any internal inquiry will be initiated.
Ershad Ullah, convener of the Chattogram city BNP, said he was unaware of the matter, noting that he is currently in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah.
Nazimur Rahman, the party’s member secretary in the city, dismissed the issue as something personal to Fatema.
“I have no information about this,” he said. “No one has approached me with anything like this.”
He also suggested that it may not have been appropriate for a leader in a responsible position to make such allegations publicly.
Rahman also questioned the financial logic of the alleged demand, pointing out that the official earnings of an MP would not justify such a large investment.
Yet this argument does not fully address the broader concern: that political office may offer informal avenues of influence and financial gain beyond official salaries.
Mahbuber Rahman Shamim, BNP’s organising secretary for the Chattogram division, declined to comment, stating that the matter did not fall within his responsibilities.
Taken together, these responses suggest a pattern of institutional reluctance rather than proactive accountability.
A competitive race for reserved seats
The controversy comes at a time when BNP has begun selling nomination forms for reserved women’s seats in the parliament.
Multiple candidates from Chattogram are actively seeking nomination, maintaining close contact with party leadership and engaging in lobbying efforts, with many reportedly staying in Dhaka to strengthen their prospects.
Among the contenders are Shakila Farzana, Kamrunnahar Dastagir, Shahnewaz Chowdhury, Jeli Chowdhury, Meherunnesa Nargis, and Sultana Parveen, the wife of a disappeared BNP leader from Fatikchhari.
Sources suggest that at least a dozen candidates are currently in the race.
The election for reserved women’s seats is scheduled for 12 May.
