Rebels a cause of headache for BNP

BNP's fight in the national election is shaping up on two fronts: against rival parties outside and against rebel contenders within, threatening to split its vote base.

The party is grappling with internal unrest as dozens of members push ahead with independent electoral ambitions, openly defying the official line despite warnings and actions.

Already, more than 190 rebel candidates have submitted nomination papers across 115 constituencies, from traditional BNP strongholds to the capital.

BNP leaders said not all are rebels; the party has prepared alternative aspirants for over 15 seats in case its main nominees are disqualified due to issues such as defaulted loans, cases or other complications.

Backups have also been arranged, considering illness or old age among some contenders. If a primary candidate is ruled out, the alternative will be declared as the final nominee.

BNP has issued strong warnings to leaders contesting as rebels, saying strict disciplinary action will follow. Nine leaders have already been expelled for submitting nomination papers in seats shared with alliance partners.

Party sources said many leaders submitted nomination papers outside the official list. If they do not withdraw by the January 20 deadline, they may face expulsion from party positions and even loss of primary membership.

The party has also warned that tough action will be taken if any leader contests as an independent in constituencies left for alliance partners.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the party had assured its allies that organisational actions would be taken in such cases. "If the expelled leaders withdraw their nomination papers on their own, the party may also reconsider and withdraw the expulsion order."

Noting that January 20 is the last date for withdrawing nominations, BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince warned, "If anyone still stays in the race by going against party decisions, there will be no chance of forgiveness. The party may decide to expel them for life."

On December 30, BNP expelled nine leaders for defying party decisions and submitting nomination papers.

They are: Barrister Rumeen Farhana, co-international affairs secretary of the party's national executive committee; national executive committee members Muhammad Gias Uddin, Mohammad Shah Alam, Hasan Mamun and Abdul Khalek; former assistant general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Tarun Dey; former convener of Dhaka North City BNP unit Saiful Alam Nirab; Sylhet district BNP unit vice-president Mamunur Rashid; and Bancharampur upazila BNP unit president Mehdi Hasan Palash.

REBEL CONTENDERS

In Brahmanbaria-2, Rumeen Farhana submitted nomination papers although BNP had left the seat for Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Joint Secretary General Junayed Al Habib. "I have fought for the rights of the people for the last 17 years. I will continue my campaign and call on voters to respond through their ballots," she told The Daily Star.

In Dhaka-12, Saiful Alam submitted nomination papers despite BNP leaving the seat for Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque. "I have prioritised my constituency and party activists. I am determined to contest," he said.

In Sylhet-5, Mamunur Rashid filed nominations for the seat left vacant by the party for Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam President Ubaidullah Faruque.

He noted that although he was given BNP tickets in 2008 and 2018, the seat was later shifted to alliance partners, angering local activists. "In this case, I have decided to take part in the election by giving more importance to the people of my constituency. I have no comment on whatever decision the party has taken. Right now, I am focusing on the election."

In Narayanganj-4, Muhammad Gias Uddin collected nomination papers for this seat that's also given to Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam.

In Bhola-1, BNP gave up the seat for Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partha, yet BNP leader Golam Nabi Alamgir filed nominations.

In Brahmanbaria-6, five BNP leaders submitted nomination papers as independents, although the seat was left for Zonayed Saki of Ganashanghati Andolon.

In Patuakhali-3, BNP central executive committee member Hasan Mamun submitted nomination papers as an independent, defying the party's decision to leave the seat for Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque.

Multiple rebels have also filed nominations in other constituencies: four each in Natore-1, Jhalokathi-1, Kishoreganj-1, and Brahmanbaria-6; three each in Rajshahi-5 and Panchagarh-2; and two each in Bagerhat-1, Bagerhat-2, Chattogram-14, and Kushtia-4.