The BNP high command is deeply concerned over escalating tensions between its officially nominated candidates and disgruntled leaders contesting as independent candidates in defiance of expulsion orders.
The party has candidates in 291 constituencies for the February 12 parliamentary election. However, at least 72 BNP leadersโnow expelledโare running as independents in 62 constituencies, creating significant rifts.
Hence, infighting arising from this rivalry has become commonplace since the election campaign officially began on January 22. Due to the absence of the Awami League, the BNP faces Jamaat-e-Islami as its main rival.
Political observers attribute the turmoil to alleged discrimination and nepotism in the nomination process by the party’s top leadership.
At least 70 parliamentary seats nationwide now feature rebel candidates emerging from within the BNP ranks, posing a major challenge to the party’s official nominees. Analysts warn that this could significantly impact the final results of the 13th National Election, potentially altering outcomes in several constituencies.
Sheikh Hasina reveals her priorities after return to Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina: BNP should unban Awami League if voted to power
Sheikh Hasina slams Yunus for holding farcical polls, repression on party members
While the BNP high command insists it still believes many rebels will ultimately withdraw and support official candidates before polling day, conversations with several rebels reveal a different picture. Many cite 16 years of loyalty to the party being overlooked, forcing them to stand independently. They express confidence that victory would lead the party to accept them back.
Grassroots representatives report that since campaigning intensified after January 22, the presence of multiple dissenting candidates in the same seats has raised fears of vote splitting in the BNP’s traditional voter base. This could directly benefit rival alliance candidates and flip results in key races.
BNP officially fielded the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol in 292 seats, with allies contesting the remaining eight under their own symbols as part of the simultaneous movement. Due to legal complications, three nominees were initially disqualified, though two later regained their candidacies on appealโleaving 291 active official BNP candidates.
Despite repeated central directives and expulsion notices (with at least 71 rebels already formally expelled), many disgruntled leaders persist in the race, accepting organisational penalties. Official candidates in these overlapping constituencies express growing discomfort, as high-level meetings have failed to persuade most rebels to step aside.
Analysts argue that if rebels remain until the end, BNP-backed candidates could suffer severe vote erosion, handing advantages to opponents. In Dhaka, for instance, rebels could play a decisive role. A viral video from a Jamaat candidate in the capital declared that “not a single seat in Dhaka will go to BNP,” with observers noting that rivals are calculating gains from vote splits caused by BNP rebels.
Referendum: How Yunus-Ali Riaz clique is putting public servants in danger
Whom should the US choose in Bangladesh: Jamaat, BNP, or Awami League?
Examples include Dhaka-14, where BNP-supported Sanjida Islam (Tuli) of “Mayer Dak” (organisation of enforced disappearance victims’ families) faces rebel Syed Abu Bakr Siddique (Saju), former Darus Salam thana BNP convener (already expelled). The seat also features Jamaat’s Barrister Arman (son of Mir Kashem, himself a former victim of disappearance). This multi-cornered contest illustrates the rebels’ disruptive potential.
Other notable rebel strongholds include Dhaka-7 (former central Jubo Dal organisational secretary Ishak Sarkar), Narayanganj-2 (expelled former MP Ataur Rahman Angur), Narayanganj-3 (former district BNP president Muhammad Giasuddin), and seats in Rajbari-2, Madaripur-1 & 2, Kishoreganj-5, Munshiganj-1 & 3, Tangail-1, 3 & 5, Manikganj-1 & 3, and Gopalganj-2.
In northern Bangladesh, rebels threaten BNP prospects further. In Natore-1, official candidate Barrister Farzana Sharmin Putul faces expelled rebels, including her brother Dr. Yasin Arshad Raj (who later withdrew in her support) and central joint office secretary Taiful Islam Tipu (still in the race). Similar splits appear in Rajshahi-5, Natore-3, Nilphamari-2, Dinajpur-2, and Gaibandha-5, where veterans note that rebels typically hand advantages to major rivals.
The issue extends to seats allocated to allies. Of the eight seats ceded by BNP, five now have BNP rebels, causing unease among partners. Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, which received four seats, faces rebels in three (e.g., Sylhet-6 with expelled Chhatra Union leader Mamunur Rashid against Ubaydullah Faruq; Brahmanbaria-2 with Barrister Rumin Farhana against Junayed Al Habib; Narayanganj-4 with two expelled leaders against Monir Hossain Kasemi). Similar challenges hit Ganosadhikar Parishad’s Nurul Haque Nur in Patuakhali-3 (vs. expelled central leader Hasan Mamun) and Revolutionary Workers Party’s Saiful Haque in Dhaka-12 (vs. expelled former Jubo Dal president Saiful Alam Nirab).
Comments from candidates highlight the divide. BNP-backed Saiful Haque (Dhaka-12) expressed optimism that mainstream BNP workers remain with him and more will join. Rebel Atikul Alam Shawon (Cumilla-7) said grassroots pressure forced his candidacy after 17 years of sacrifice without nomination. An anonymous BNP nominee from Chattogram division lamented the lack of full cooperation, warning of heavy losses if internal sabotage continues.
Party sources indicate intense effortsโincluding direct appeals from acting chairman Tarique Rahmanโto convince key rebels to withdraw, with some complying but most persisting, leading to expulsions.
Senior journalist and analyst Masood Kamal called it a major leadership failure: rebels represent a serious challenge, as many are locally influential with strong bases that could siphon votes even from “safe” seats. He noted that some official nominees lack grassroots familiarity, exacerbated by recent joiners from other parties gaining tickets, fueling local resentment.
Despite the crisis, the high command remains hopeful. Election committee spokesperson Dr. Mahdi Amin acknowledged multiple capable aspirants per seat but said not all could be accommodated, with disciplinary actions taken and expectations that many will comply. Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan echoed that talks continue, anticipating withdrawals before the end.
English 
Bengali