63 undecided tickets: BNP juggles seat-sharing, internal feuds

The BNP has held back announcing candidates in 63 constituencies, partly to honour seat-sharing commitments with allies and partly over fears of internal clashes among strong contenders.

While unveiling its list of 237 potential nominees on Monday, the party kept around 30 seats open for its allies who participated in the simultaneous movement alongside the BNP. The remaining 33 seats were left vacant due to difficulties in selecting suitable candidates.

"We've already begun seat-sharing discussions with our allies and will soon finalise candidates for the remaining seats. We're currently waiting for their lists of potential nominees."

A BNP standing committee member

"We've already begun seat-sharing discussions with our allies and will soon finalise candidates for the remaining seats. We're currently waiting for their lists of potential nominees," said a BNP standing committee member who preferred to remain unnamed.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in a Facebook post yesterday, urged party leaders and activists to keep faith in the leadership, assuring that those who did not receive nominations will be given due responsibility and respect.

Nilphamari-1 is one of the seats that remain vacant. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's nephew, Shahrin Islam Tuhin, and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Secretary General Monzurul Islam Afendi are both seeking nominations for the seat, making it difficult for the party to pick one over the other.

Party insiders said a decision would be made after further discussions with allies.

In Bogura-2, Nagorik Oikya nominated Mahmudur Rahman Manna. As a result, BNP did not field its own candidate.

In Patuakhali-3, BNP also refrained from nominating anyone, as Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur seeks to contest as an alliance candidate.

The party has likewise not named candidates for Jhenaidah-2 and Jhenaidah-4. Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan and the district BNP president are both vying for the Jhenaidah-2 seat, forcing the party to delay its decision. Sources said the BNP leader may be nominated from Jhenaidah-4.

Pirojpur-1 was left open for 12-Party Alliance Chief Coordinator and Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider.

The situation is similar in Kishoreganj-5, where Jatiya Dal Chairman and 12-Party Alliance Coordinator Syed Ehsanul Huda wants to run.

Dhaka-13 has been kept for BNP ally Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj.

BNP is also not fielding a candidate in Dhaka-17, as Andaleeve Rahman Partho, chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party, is expected to contest the seat.

The party has yet to decide on Brahmanbaria-2, where former BNP lawmaker Rumeen Farhana and Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh central leader Junayed Al Habib are both strong contenders.

In Brahmanbaria-6, Ganosamhati Andolan nominated its Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki. The Liberal Democratic Party nominated its Secretary General Redwan Ahmed for Cumilla-7.

Other constituencies left for allies include Habiganj-1, Sunamganj-2, Sunamganj-4, Sylhet-4, Sylhet-5, Laxmipur-1, Laxmipur-4, Dhaka-7, Dhaka-9, Dhaka-10, Dhaka-18, Dhaka-20, Narayanganj-4, Chattogram-14, Chattogram-15, Narail-2, Jashore-5, and Jhalakathi-1.

No candidates were announced for any of the three seats in Bagerhat. After the district lost one constituency as per the Election Commission's new delimitation, BNP struggled to decide which candidate to keep and which to drop.

Meanwhile, the BNP last night cancelled the nomination of Kamal Zaman Mollah for Madaripur-1.

FEAR OF INFIGHTING

Of the 63 vacant seats, BNP withheld nominations in 30 due to fears of internal clashes where multiple strong contenders are competing for party tickets.

In Thakurgaon-2, the party could not immediately decide between two heavyweights: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam's younger brother Mirza Faisal Amin and former Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) Secretary General Abdus Salam.

Similarly, BNP fears internal clashes to break out following the announcement of candidates, as multiple strong contenders are looking to get picked in Dinajpur-5, Nilphamari-3, Lalmonirhat-2, Naogaon-5, Natore-3, Sirajganj-1, Pabna-1, Jhenaidah-1, Khulna-1, Patuakhali-2, Tangail-5, Mymensingh-10, Kishoreganj-1, Manikganj-1, Munshiganj-3, Gazipur-1, Gazipur-6, Narsingdi-3, Rajbari-2, Madaripur-2, Cumilla-2, Mymensingh-4, Barishal-3, Chattogram-3, Chattogram-6, Chattogram-9, Chattogram-11 and Cox's Bazar-2.

BOGURA JUBILANT

Excitement swept through Bogura as BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman were announced as candidates for Bogura-7 and Bogura-6, respectively.

Following the announcement, leaders and activists in both constituencies brought out jubilant processions last night.

Helal Uddin, a furniture shopkeeper from Gabtoli's Mohishaban village, said, "Khaleda Zia is going to contest from our area again. We are thrilled. She will win by a landslide and bring development back to Bogura."

Asma Begum, a grocery shopkeeper from Kadamtali, said, "It's been so long since we voted. We are happy that Khaleda Zia will contest from our area again."

Bogura Gabtoli Upazila BNP General Secretary Enamul Haque Notoon said, "Both leaders and the public are overjoyed. We will ensure Madam Zia's victory with a massive turnout."

Bogura District BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha added, "Our beloved son Tarique Rahman symbolises youth and hope. People will elect both Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman by huge margins."

[Our Bogura correspondent contributed to this report.]