BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed party leaders seeking nomination to the women’s reserved seats in parliament to accept the party’s final decision.
He also directed all aspirants not to create any chaotic situation over the nominations, warning that such actions could harm the image of both the BNP and the government.
The issue was discussed during the BNP’s interviews with aspirants at the chairman’s Gulshan office yesterday afternoon, where members of the party’s standing committee were present.
During the interviews, aspirants were asked about their political background, organisational work, and ability to represent women in parliament.
Senior BNP leaders said the party is trying to strike a balance by giving importance to both long-serving, dedicated women leaders and younger faces who may bring new energy and ideas to politics.
About two hours before the interviews, aspirants, along with their supporters, gathered in front of the office. They discussed their chances, shared updates about the selection process, lobbied informally with party insiders, and tried to assess who might secure nomination.
On the first day, aspirants from Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, and Faridpur divisions were interviewed. More than 400 aspirants took part.
A member of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal from Ranisankail upazila in Thakurgaon said Tarique Rahman and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir conducted the interviews. There was no fixed time for each aspirant, she added.
Requesting anonymity, the woman leader said she was asked what she would do if not selected and whether she would remain with the party.
Several leaders said they had struggled over the past 17 years and hoped the party would evaluate their contributions.
They also assured the board they would accept the party’s final decision.
Party insiders said the BNP parliamentary board, including standing committee members, asked aspirants about their reasons for seeking nomination, their contributions to the party and their constituencies, and their roles in movements.
They were also asked about their priorities if elected, past experience as public representatives, whether they would support the party’s nominee, and what they would do if denied nomination.
Speaking to reporters, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the party will prioritise the contributions of women leaders, especially their roles during the past 15–16 years of political struggle.
He said many women leaders faced harassment, including cases, attacks, and intimidation during that period.
Educational background, ability to speak in parliament, and knowledge of lawmaking will also be considered, he added.
The interviews were conducted under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, with standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and AZM Zahid Hossain were present.
Party sources said around 1,300 nomination forms were sold over three days, of which nearly 900 have already been submitted.
Aspirants from Chattogram, Sylhet, Cumilla, Dhaka, and Mymensingh divisions are scheduled to be interviewed today, they added.
According to the Election Commission, there are 50 reserved women’s seats in parliament. EC estimates that the BNP-led alliance will secure 36 seats, the Jamaat-led alliance 13, and independents one.
Nomination submission ends April 21, scrutiny will take place on April 22–23, and voting is scheduled for May 12.
