The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has taken stern action against internal dissent by expelling nine leaders, including high-profile figures Barrister Rumeen Farhana and Saiful Alam Nirob, for defying party directives in the run-up to the February 12 national election.
The expulsions were announced on Tuesday evening in a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The party accused the leaders of “carrying out organisational activities in defiance of party decisions,” effectively stripping them of primary membership and all positions at every level.
Former MP Rumeen Farhana has reportedly been expelled for her outspokenness, say observers.
Among those expelled are:
– Barrister Rumeen Farhana, Assistant International Affairs Secretary and a former reserved-seat lawmaker, who contested as an independent in Brahmanbaria-2 after the seat was allocated to alliance partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh.
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– Saiful Alam Nirob, former convener of Dhaka North City BNP, who ran independently in Dhaka-12 following the seat’s reassignment to the Revolutionary Workers Party.
– National Executive Committee members Hasan Mamun (who contested independently in Patuakhali-3, ceded to Gana Adhikar Parishad), Muhammad Gias Uddin, Mohammad Shah Alam, and Abdul Khaleq.
– Tarun Dey, former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal vice-president and secretary general of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front.
– Mamunur Rashid, Sylhet district BNP vice-president.
– Mehdi Hasan Palash, president of Bancharampur upazila BNP in Brahmanbaria.
The move comes amid heightened tensions as nomination deadlines passed on December 29, with scrutiny ongoing until January 4. Over 100 BNP leaders reportedly filed as independents in various constituencies, prompting warnings from party leadership about potential disciplinary measures.
Rumeen Farhana, a vocal BNP spokesperson known for her media presence, had actively campaigned in Brahmanbaria-2 despite the alliance decision favouring Maulana Junayed Al Habib. Similarly, Nirob and Mamun persisted in seats yielded to coalition partners as part of BNP’s strategy under acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Analysts view the expulsions as an effort to enforce unity and honour seat-sharing agreements with allies, crucial for BNP’s electoral prospects in the post-Khaleda Zia era. With the party mourning the recent passing of its chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, maintaining discipline is seen as vital for a strong showing against emerging challengers.
Undeterred by party constraints, Rumeen Farhana personally submitted her nomination papers as an independent candidate for the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency on Monday, framing her campaign as a stand against longstanding neglect and injustice.
She appeared in person after 2:30pm at the office of Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Returning Officer Md. Abubakar Sarkar to file her papers for the seat covering Sarail, Ashuganj, and parts of Bijoynagar.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Rumeen Farhana invoked divine providence, noting parallels with her father’s independent run in 1973 against an Awami League wave. “Allah’s plan is beyond human understanding,” she said.
“In 2026, against the tide of the paddy sheaf [BNP symbol], I find myself fighting independently. “Addressing supporters, she asked what symbol they desired, prompting chants of “Duck”โthe allocated independent symbol.
She highlighted the neglect of Sarail and Ashuganj upazilas over 55 years of independence, questioning why no MP had improved conditions or secured rightful development.
In a pointed reference to BNP dynamics and her own role, Rumeen Farhana declared: “This vote will be against injustice. This vote will be against oppression. This vote will be in favour of the woman who stood in the field for 17 years [referring to late chairperson Khaleda Zia]. This vote will be for the person who spoke for you in parliament and outside when you were battered by cases and attacks.”
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