A significant number of comparatively young leaders are intensifying efforts to secure nominations of the BNP in the 13th parliamentary elections slated for February next year.
Apart from working at the grassroots level in respective constituencies, many of them are regularly visiting BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s political office and meeting senior leaders to strengthen their chances of getting the party tickets.
The aspirants have been making such efforts after the party high command hinted at fielding a significant number of youth candidates in some constituencies.
According to BNP insiders, the youth aspirants fall into two broad categories. One group consists of second-generation leaders from BNP-affiliated families, while the other group comprises those who climbed the party ladder through years of field-level politics.
Most of them have past or present involvement with Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal or Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal.
These nomination seekers are aged between 40 and 50 years. Although many question whether people in this age bracket can truly be called “youths,” the aspirants argue that they are relatively younger compared to many previous MPs and traditional candidates from prominent parties.
As discussions with nomination seekers suggest, this group sees itself as the new generation within BNP—ready to carry forward the party’s agenda in the next national election.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that the party is considering giving priority to youths.
“Youths will be considered to represent the party in the next national elections. But no final decision has been made in this regard,” he told The TIMES of Bangladesh.
100 young leaders in the Race
Party insiders say over a hundred young leaders, one third of 300 parliamentary seats, are actively seeking nominations across different constituencies.
Leaders emphasise that contributions to the party and involvement in the pro-democracy movement will remain the key criteria in the nomination process. They added that the party high command is carrying out a thorough assessment of prospective candidates, placing strong emphasis on political credentials and loyalty.
Some party leaders, the evaluation process is focusing on several factors: an aspirant’s long-term grassroots involvement, the sudden reappearance of individuals after long absences, and the record of those who allegedly left the country during times of political unrest. Party sources also said they are carefully observing those who, since last August, have made the party controversial in various ways.
BNP Standing Committee member Begum Selima Rahman reiterated the party’s long-standing emphasis on young leaders. “BNP has always been vocal about prioritising the youths,” she told this correspondent.
She also indicated that candidate selection will be based on multiple factors. “A proven record of sacrifice and dedication, demonstrated competence, popular appeal, and unwavering integrity will all be central to the final decision-making process,” she said.
Enthusiastic young aspirants
Several nomination seekers said they are receiving encouragement from senior leaders.
BNP’s central executive committee member, Mohammad Akramul, who is seeking nomination from Narsingdi-3, said he has been actively engaging with grassroots communities in his area as part of his preparations.
“I am confident that if the senior leadership grants me the opportunity to represent the party, I will secure the people’s support and return victorious,” he told TIMES.
Sylhet district BNP general secretary Emran Ahmed Chowdhury is an aspirant from Sylhet-6. He said senior leaders asked him to strengthen his engagement with the public.
“Based on that, I am actively interacting with a diverse range of cultural, social, and sports organizations. My objective is to secure a victory with popular support, provided that the party grants me the opportunity to contest the upcoming elections,” he said.
