With weeks remaining before Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, rebel candidates within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are creating uncertainty for both the party and its coalition allies.
Despite seat-sharing agreements with partners, several BNP leaders are contesting as independents. Of the 14 seats reserved for allies, rebel candidates are active in 12, leaving only two uncontested. Repeated party warnings about organizational discipline reportedly have been ignored.
Party sources say BNP has intensified efforts to persuade rebel leaders to withdraw from the race. Chairman Tarique Rahman has personally contacted candidates in key constituencies, instructing them to support the party or coalition nominees. Several rebels have already been expelled for defying directives.
Analysts note that rebel candidates often enjoy strong grassroots support because of their long-standing presence in constituencies, while coalition-designated BNP candidates, though nationally prominent, may be less familiar to local voters. Some leaders from other parties have joined BNP and received the party’s Dhaner Shish symbol (sheaf of paddy), creating additional tension that could divide BNP’s traditional vote bank.
Seats left for allies include Bogra-2 (Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Nagorik Oikya), Bhola-1 (Andalib Rahman Partha, BJP), Sylhet-5 (Maulana Mohammad Ubaydullah Farooq, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam), Brahmanbaria-2 (Maulana Junaid Al Habib), Nilphamari-1 (Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi), Narayanganj-4 (Mufti Monir Hossain Qasemi), Jessore-5 (Rashid Bin Wakkas, unregistered Jamiat), Narail-2 (Dr. Fariduzzaman Farhad, unregistered NPP), Patuakhali-3 (Nurul Haque Nur, Gonadhikar Parishad), and Jhenaidah-4 (Rashed Khan).
Other coalition seats include Dhaka-12 (Saiful Haq, Revolutionary Workers Party), Dhaka-13 (Bobby Hajjaj, NDM), Brahmanbaria-6 (Junaid Saki, Ganashonghoti Andolon), Lakshmipur-1 (Shahadat Hossain Selim, LDP), Kishoreganj-5 (Syed Ehsanul Huda, BNP), Comilla-7 (Redwan Ahmed, LDP), and Habiganj-1 (Reza Kibria, founder of Amjonotar Party, now with BNP).
Several top coalition leaders—Fariduzzaman Farhad, Rashed Khan, Shahadat Hossain Selim, Syed Ehsanul Huda, Reza Kibria, and Bobby Hajjaj—have joined BNP to contest under the sheaf of paddy symbol. Meanwhile, rebel BNP candidates remain active in Dhaka-12, Brahmanbaria-2, Patuakhali-3, Jhenaidah-4, Narail-2, and Jessore-5.
In Jhenaidah-4, Rashed Khan, the party nominee, faces Md Saiful Islam Firoz, former BNP candidate in 2018, contesting independently. Firoz said: “The people want me to work for them, and that is why I am contesting. Party endorsement would have been welcome, but I will stay in the race until the end. I am optimistic about winning.”
Rashed said: “Many were expecting BNP nominations, so it is natural for them to be disappointed. But prioritizing the party over individual ambitions is BNP’s principle. I hope no one remains a rebel until the end.”
In Patuakhali-3, Hasan Mamun, BNP national executive member and former Dhaka University Chhatra Dal president, is contesting independently after being overlooked for the nomination. In Brahmanbaria-2, expelled BNP leader Rumin Farhana is running against Jamiat nominee Maulana Junaid Al Habib. She said: “I was expelled from the party, so I am contesting independently. Voters are supporting me.”
In Dhaka-12, coalition nominee Saiful Haq faces independent candidate Saiful Alam Nirab, former North Dhaka BNP president. Despite repeated requests from the high command, Nirab has not withdrawn.
Political analysts warn that continued rebel candidacies could complicate coordination between BNP and its allies, putting additional pressure on the party’s high command to secure withdrawals.
BNP remains confident that the issue will be resolved. Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said: “For the greater interest of the party, some deserving candidates were sidelined. In some constituencies, organizational measures have been taken, while in others we are trying to resolve issues peacefully. The problem will be resolved shortly.”
