Home
+
Published : 11 Dec 2025, 02:07 AM
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is battling open rebellion in Narayanganj -- one of the country’s most closely watched battleground districts -- where the party has named candidates in four of the five constituencies, but has yet to secure unity behind any of them.
Across all four declared seats, leaders who were denied nominations have turned against the official contenders, while their supporters have taken the battle to the streets and on to social media.
The candidates who have earned the right to stand in parliamentary elections with the party's "paddy sheaf" electoral symbol are urging “rebels” to close ranks for the sake of the party.
But there has been little sign of a climbdown. Some disgruntled leaders are even hinting they may run as independents, leaving the nominees deeply uneasy.
On Nov 3, after a meeting of the party's highest policy-making forum, the National Standing Committee meeting, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced candidates in 237 constituencies nationwide.
Under that decision, the party picked Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu for Narayanganj-1, Nazrul Islam Azad for Narayanganj-2, Azharul Islam Mannan for Narayanganj-3, and Masuduzzaman Masud for Narayanganj-5.
On Dec 4, Mirza Fakhrul announced another 36 names, but the party has still not declared a nominee for Narayanganj-4, which covers the industrial Fatullah area.
The BNP had left this seat for an alliance partner in the last parliamentary election and has yet to clarify whether it will do so again. Several BNP hopefuls are lobbying hard to catch the high command’s eye.
Abdus Sabur Khan Sentu, joint convenor of Narayanganj city BNP, tried to play down the turmoil.
“The BNP is a big party. Differences of opinion are normal,” he said. “But at the end of the day, everyone will work in the interest of the party and the country.”
NARAYANGANJ-5: NOMINEE IS ‘NOT ONE OF US’
In Narayanganj-5, which covers Sadar and Bandar areas, the nomination of businessman and Jubo Dal figure Masuduzzaman Masud has infuriated several senior BNP figures who had long nursed ambitions for the seat.
At least 10 leaders were in the running here. Besides Masud, the names in circulation included three-time former MP Abul Kalam, city BNP Convenor Sakhawat Hossain Khan, city BNP Member-Secretary Abu Al Yusuf Khan Tipu, former city Jubo Dal president Makshudul Alam Khondker Khorshed, BNP-leaning businessman Abu Jafar Ahmed Babul and academic Aliyar Hossain.
Several of those passed over have now taken to public platforms to campaign against the official candidate.
They argue that Masuduzzaman is “no one in the BNP” but an opportunist who has “turned up in good times” and grabbed the party’s nomination.
Former MP Abul Kalam said, “I have been elected several times from Narayanganj-5. The coming election will be extremely tough.
"Under 17 years of the Awami League’s ‘fascist’ rule, many grassroots activists have been persecuted. If the grassroots are not valued, politics will move into a very difficult phase. Without a tested candidate, winning here will be extremely hard.”
Masuduzzaman insists that local leaders will eventually rally behind him. “I have always stood by the party and its grassroots activists,” he said. “I’ve worked selflessly for the people of Narayanganj. The party has placed its trust in me based on my past record.
"Nominations are given after field surveys and several rounds of scrutiny. I believe everyone will accept the party’s decision. I want to work with all.”
The BNP has also quietly brought back several leaders previously expelled over alleged anti-party activities, apparently calculating that their networks could help the official candidate.
Among them are former city BNP vice-president and former Bandar Upazila chairman Ataur Rahman Mukul and former general secretary ATM Kamal, both now seen campaigning for Masud’s ticket.
NARAYANGANJ-3: UNITED REBELS, ‘CONSPIRACY’ CLAIM
Boundary changes in Narayanganj-3, centred on Sonargaon, have created additional friction.
The Election Commission initially proposed adding Bandar Upazila to Sonargaon, but backed down after fierce protests from Bandar residents. It then attached 10 wards of Siddhirganj under Narayanganj City Corporation to Narayanganj-3 instead. As a result, BNP hopefuls emerged from both Sonargaon and Siddhirganj.
Among those eyeing the nomination were former state minister Rezaul Karim, former MP Muhammad Giasuddin, district BNP Convenor Mamun Mahmud, BNP Executive Committee Member Azharul Islam Mannan, former director general of the Youth Development Department Waliur Rahman Apel, former Sonargaon BNP president Khondker Abu Jafar and former central Swechchhasebak Dal vice-president Wahid bin Imtiaz Bakul.
The party ultimately chose Azharul Islam Mannan, a former Upazila chairman and the BNP’s 2018 candidate in the seat.
Seven excluded hopefuls then joined forces, defying the party line and campaigning openly against Mannan.
On Nov 19, they wrote to Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman demanding that his nomination be scrapped. In their letter, they claimed victory was “not possible” with Mannan and even questioned his educational qualifications.
Mannan has branded their efforts a “conspiracy”.
“There has always been conspiracy, there is now, and there will be in future,” he said. “But we haven’t stopped campaigning and we won’t. Popular support for the paddy sheaf candidate is growing at the grassroots.”
The BNP has served show-cause notices on several of the ‘rebel’ leaders for ganging up against the official nominee. Despite the infighting, the Mannan camp has kept its campaign machinery running.
NARAYANGANJ-4: NO NOMINEE, CROWDED RACE
In Narayanganj-4, which covers Fatullah Police Station and the Gognagar and Alirtek unions under Sadar Police Station, the BNP has yet to announce a candidate.
The seat is a bastion of the Awami League’s powerful AKM Shamim Osman, who has represented it four times. In the last parliamentary election, the BNP ceded the seat to alliance partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.
This time, several BNP leaders are vying for the ticket, including former MP and freedom fighter Mohammad Ali, BNP Executive Committee Member and former district vice-president Mohammad Shah Alam, district Joint Convenor Mashukul Islam Razib, Fatullah BNP President Shahidul Islam Titu, district Jubo Dal President Sadekur Rahman and Member-Secretary Moshiur Rahman Rony.
In addition, former Narayanganj-3 MP Muhammad Giasuddin and district BNP Convenor Mamun Mahmud, who missed out elsewhere, also want the Narayanganj-4 nomination.
Although no one has been chosen, the hopefuls are staging programmes to impress the central leadership. They are distributing leaflets on BNP’s 31-point agenda, organising free medical camps and conducting door-to-door outreach seeking votes for the "paddy sheaf" polls logo.
The BNP's Executive Committee Member Mohammad Shah Alam argues that this time the party cannot afford to leave the seat to an ally.
“In 2008 I was the paddy sheaf candidate here. In 2018 I received the nomination but the seat was later given to an alliance partner and we accepted that,” he said.
“This time it’s different because the election will be held on the party symbol. If the seat is left to an ally and they contest on their own symbol, I don’t think they can win. In that case the BNP would simply lose the seat. That’s not only my view, but what I hear from ordinary people as well.”
Jamiat’s Joint Secretary General and Narayanganj Hifazat-e Islam chief Monir Hossain Qasemi is also preparing for a run and hopes to secure the alliance nomination.
“I’m ready to contest from Narayanganj-4,” he said. “The alliance has not yet been finalised. If there is an alliance, I expect to get this seat. And if the alliance does not pick me, I’ll work for whoever they choose.”
NARAYANGANJ-2: A WALL OF RESISTANCE
In Narayanganj-2, covering the industrial Upazila of Araihazar, the BNP has nominated central Assistant Organising Secretary and Upazila BNP President Nazrul Islam Azad.
Since his name was announced, however, he has faced fierce opposition from his own colleagues.
Former MP Ataur Rahman Angur, BNP Assistant Finance Secretary Mahmudur Rahman and Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal Organising Secretary Parvin Akter had all sought the nomination.
With Azad chosen, they and their supporters have largely stayed away from his campaign. In some cases, they have taken to the streets demanding that the decision be revisited.
At a rally on Nov 10 in Araihazar town to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the three passed-over leaders appeared together on one stage for the first time, publicly urging the party to “reconsider” its pick for the seat.
Mahmudur Rahman said, “In this constituency, 90 percent of ordinary people and 70 percent of grassroots leaders and workers are with me. If the party had nominated me, or another suitable candidate, we would have had no objection. The party has taken a decision, but as a worker I also have the right to wish for what is best for the party.
"I am ready to do anything in the party’s interests. But if you check the situation on the ground, you will see that unless this nomination is reconsidered, it is the party that will be harmed.”
Azad has responded with a call for unity. “For those of us who are in the party, the decisions of leader Tarique Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia are final,” he said. “We must build a wall of strength for the paddy sheaf, with discipline, organisation and the party’s interests above all.
"On the question of the party, we are one. Unity is our courage, unity is our strength. I firmly believe Araihazar will once again make history in favour of democracy, the people and the paddy sheaf.”
NARAYANGANJ-1: OLD RIVALRIES LINGER IN RUPGANJ
In Narayanganj-1, covering Rupganj Upazila, the BNP has nominated Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu, an executive committee member and president of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In the last election, the party nominated the then district BNP president Moniruzzaman Monir for Rupganj.
Although Dipu secured the ticket this time, many of Moniruzzaman’s loyalists have not been visible in his campaign. Dipu did visit the former district president the day after receiving the nomination to seek his support.
Local BNP leaders note that Rupganj has been represented four times in a row by Awami League’s Ghulam Dastagir Gazi, who also served as textiles and jute minister.
During the Awami League’s long spell in power, the Upazila’s BNP remained split into two camps -- one around Monir and the other around Dipu. Even after the fall of the Awami League government last year, clashes between their supporters continued.
Despite the cold shoulder from parts of the organisation, Dipu is pressing ahead with his own supporters.
“Those who have stayed with the people and led from the front in the field have been given nominations,” he said. “The party has nominated me in Rupganj based on my past work. The people of Rupganj are with me. I hope everyone in the party will also come together and work for the paddy sheaf.”
RESTLESS GRASSROOTS, RISK OF ‘REBEL’ RUNS
The BNP's grassroots leaders warn that, with the general election approaching, the fierce internal jockeying and open rebellion over nominations in Narayanganj are turning into a serious headache for the party.
Tit-for-tat programmes, bitter exchanges on social media and public declarations of no-confidence in official candidates have already spread unease among local activists.
For some, the next step seems obvious: independent bids or spoiler roles from the ‘rebel’ camp, potentially splintering the opposition vote just as the party is trying to present a united front.
