BNP leader Hafizuddin Ahmed denies BNM affiliation

Media speculation about Shakib Al Hasan joining BNM fuelled rumours surrounding the BNP leader amid the party's election boycott

BNP Vice Chairman Hafizuddin Ahmed has dismissed reports linking him and cricketer Shakib Al Hasan to the Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM), described by many as a King’s Party, during the 12th parliamentary elections as "not true."

"I have previously stated why I did not join BNM and why I remained with BNP. It is not a new development. Although approached by BNM, I did not accept their offer, and I remain with BNP," he clarified at a press conference at his residence in Dhaka's Banani on Tuesday.

Cricket icon Shakib marked his first foray into electoral politics with a resounding win at the polls in the Magura-1 constituency.

A Bangla newspaper published a photo of Shakib with the former minister on Monday, sparking speculation about the cricketer's ties to BNM and Hafizuddin's role amid BNP's election boycott.

He said, "Shakib, the pride of our nation and the world's best all-rounder, had never ventured into politics. He could have. He approached me as a former cricketer, and I did not encourage him [to pursue politics].”