BNP’s rebel woes just won’t go away

Even after the deadline for nomination withdrawal ended yesterday, dozens of rebel BNP candidates remain in the race, while Jamaat-e-Islami-backed nominees have rivals from within their alliance in at least seven constituencies.

Returning officers will allocate electoral symbols today. Formal campaigning begins tomorrow. 

According to a statement sent by the Election Commission after midnight, 305 candidates withdrew from the race.   

Now, 1,967 candidates are running for the 300 parliamentary seats.   

With the Awami League barred from contesting the 13th parliamentary election, political analysts say the February 12 polls are shaping up primarily as a contest between the BNP- and Jamaat-led alliances.

Sources said the BNP is contesting 286 seats under its own symbol and has shared 14 seats with like-minded parties. Six “candidates from partners” will also use the Sheaf of Paddy symbol since they have joined the BNP.

Party insiders said at least 61 BNP rebels were in the fray after the end of the deadline for nomination withdrawal yesterday. 

On Monday, they said 91 rebels remained active across more than 45 constituencies.

Speaking to this newspaper yesterday evening, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said 215 Jamaat men will contest under the 10-party alliance banner. 

Alliance partner National Citizen Party (NCP) will field candidates in 30 seats; Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis 23; Khelafat Majlis 12; Liberal Democratic Party seven; Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party three; Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) three; and Bangladesh Development Party will field two candidates, according to Zubair. 

The remaining seats, he said, would remain open.

“We are hoping that everything in these seats can be fixed any time before the polls. Once a decision is made, someone will step aside,” he added.

Even if a candidate steps aside, his or her symbol will be on the ballot paper and voters will be able to vote for them. 

Gazi Ataur Rahman, joint secretary general of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), said his party is contesting 268 seats.

IAB was previously part of the Jamaat-led alliance but withdrew a few days ago, citing inadequate importance given to it and fewer seats offered than expected.

The Jatiya Party faction led by GM Quader is contesting 196 seats.

Bazlur Rashid Feroz, general secretary of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BaSaD), said 149 candidates will contest under the nine-party Ganatantrik Jukto Front. 

Of them, the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) is fielding 63 candidates, BaSaD 37, BaSaD (Marxist) 34, and Bangladesh JaSad 15.

Meanwhile, the Gono Odhikar Parishad has candidates for 91 seats.

BNP REBELS

Several BNP leaders defied party instruction to withdraw from the race in the capital.

In Dhaka-12, expelled BNP leader Saiful Alam Nirob is contesting as a rebel. The BNP allocated the nomination to Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque. 

BNP rebel Syed Abu Bakkar Siddique is contesting in Dhaka-14.

Of the 14 seats shared with BNP allies, four have no rebel candidates.

In Sylhet-5, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh candidate Md Ubaidullah Faruq is facing BNP rebel Mamunur Rashid, vice-president of the Sylhet district BNP.

In Narayanganj-4, expelled BNP leaders Shah Alam and Giasuddin are contesting. The BNP has kept the seat vacant for Jamiat’s Mufti Monir Hossain Kasemi.

In Brahmanbaria-2, Jamiat leader Junayed Al Habib is contesting alongside expelled BNP leader Rumeen Farhana.

In Patuakhali-3, although the BNP allocated the nomination to Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haq, BNP leader Hasan Mamun remains in the race.

In Jhenaidah-4, BNP rebel Saiful Islam Firoz is contesting despite the party allocating the nomination to Rashed Khan, who resigned as Gono Odhikar Parishad secretary to join the BNP.

In Kishoreganj-5, BNP-nominated Syed Ehsanul Huda, chief of Bangladesh Jatiya Dal, which dissolved to merge with the BNP, is facing BNP rebel Mujibur Rahman Iqbal.

In Narail-2, Fariduzzaman Farhad, chairman of the National People’s Party, dissolved his party to contest as a BNP nominee, but BNP rebel Monirul Islam remains in the race.

In Cumilla-7, Redwan Ahmed resigned from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to join the BNP and contest the seat, but upazila BNP President Atikul Islam is running from there.

In Bogura-2, the BNP nominated Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna while keeping Shahe Alam as a backup candidate due to loan default allegations against Manna. Shahe Alam did not withdraw yesterday.

In Narayanganj, four BNP rebel candidates are contesting across three constituencies.

In Chattogram-14 and Chattogram-16, there are three BNP rebels. 

In Munshiganj-3, district BNP Member-Secretary Mohammad Mohiuddin remains in the race as a rebel.

JAMAAT ALLIANCE 

Even after withdrawals, Jamaat-backed candidates have rivals from within their alliance in at least seven constituencies.

In Dhaka-5, Jamaat nominee Kamal Hossen is facing LDP-supported Humayun Kabir. In Dhaka-14, Jamaat nominee Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman is contesting alongside LDP-backed Sohel Rana.

In Dhaka-7, Jamaat nominee Enayet Ullah is facing Khelafat Andolan-backed Md Habibullah, while in Dhaka-16, Jamaat nominee Abdul Baten is contesting alongside Khelafat Andolan-backed Touhiduzzaman.

In Dhaka-10, Jamaat nominee Joshim Uddin Sarkar is facing AB Party-backed Nasrin Sultana. 

In Dhaka-20, alliance nominee Nabila Tasnid of NCP is contesting alongside Khelafat Majlis-backed Ashraf Ali.

Mufti Sultan Mohiuddin, central organising secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, said, “We have reached an understanding with the alliance in a number of constituencies. In the remaining seats, candidates are contesting according to our party’s decision.”

In Chattogram-8, Jamaat nominee Abu Naser is facing NCP-backed Jubairul Hasan Arif.

In Sunamganj-1, Jamaat district ameer Tofayel Ahmed failed to withdraw his nomination after party activists confined him inside the district party office. 

In Sylhet-3, Jamaat aspirant Lokman Ahmed also could not withdraw his candidacy after supporters confined him to his residence. The alliance has nominated Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish leader Musleh Uddin there.

Meanwhile, Labour Party Chairman Mustafizur Rahman Iran withdrew from both Dhaka-12 and Jhalokhati-1.

“I have decided to withdraw my nomination keeping in view the current political realities, electoral strategy, and the interest of greater democratic unity. However, my party will actively participate in the election,” he told The Daily Star.

Returning officers in 20 Dhaka constituencies said 25 candidates withdrew, leaving 168 contenders in the capital.

Among those who withdrew were four Jamaat-backed aspirants -- Kabir Ahmed (Dhaka-9), Muhammad Ashraful Haque (Dhaka-18), Afzal Hossain (Dhaka-19), and Abdur Rauf (Dhaka-20); and two NCP candidates -- SM Shaharia (Dhaka-5) and Tarek Ahmed Adel (Dhaka-7).

[Our correspondents in respective districts contributed to this report.]