BNP rebels rattling allies

Alliance partners have expressed deep frustration, as the BNP failed to rein in its leaders who are contesting the national election in seats allocated to allies, defying repeated warnings from the party high command and even after expulsion from the party.

At least a dozen alliance leaders told this correspondent that they are concerned as BNP leaders continue to run as rebel or independent candidates, undermining the seat-sharing arrangement.

They said they had expected active support from local BNP leaders and activists. Instead, the presence of them has confused voters, disrupted coordination at the grassroots, and weakened campaign efforts.

According to party sources, the BNP has shared 14 seats with its partners, including six seats given to leaders who joined the party.

Alliance candidates are now facing their main challenge from BNP rebel candidates rather than rivals from other parties.

Tensions are most visible in Bogura-2, where Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna alleged that a BNP candidate created "many problems and complications" during the nomination process.

Manna said that although the BNP high command had earlier encouraged him to contest from the seat, he faced organised resistance when he went to submit his papers.

"On the day of nomination submission, not only the BNP candidate, but also district BNP leaders and almost all leaders of the lawyers' organisations, along with lawyers brought from Dhaka, used their full strength to create a mob and oppose my nomination," he said.

After overcoming those hurdles, Manna said he later found that those involved in obstructing him had been given BNP tickets.

He also claimed that the same nomination papers rejected in Bogura-2 were later accepted in Dhaka-18. "I will file an appeal and then make my next decision."

Similar allegations have emerged in Jhenaidah-4, where Rashed Khan, who joined the BNP after resigning as general secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, accused supporters of a BNP rebel candidate of issuing threats and intimidation.

"Local BNP leaders and activists should cooperate with me, since I am a BNP-nominated candidate. But supporters of another BNP rebel candidate are threatening me. They are even creating obstacles when I try to rent an office to run my election campaign."

He claimed that he has received death threats on social media and said he expects the party high command to resolve the matter.

Contacted, BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince warned of strict organisational action. "If anyone stays in the race by going against party decisions, the party may decide to expel them for life."

Under the alliance arrangement, the BNP did not field candidates in eight constituencies: Dhaka-12, Bhola-1, Patuakhali-3, Sylhet-5, Nilphamari-1, Narayanganj-4, Brahmanbaria-2, and Brahmanbaria-6.

As part of its strategy, six leaders from allied parties joined the BNP and were given nominations in Jhenaidah-4, Habiganj-1, Cumilla-7, Kishoreganj-5, Lakshmipur-1, and Dhaka-13.

However, in Bogura-2, the BNP initially left the seat for Manna but later announced its own candidate, citing legal complications.

Sources said nine BNP leaders have already been expelled for submitting nomination papers in seats shared with alliance partners.

Allied leaders said the situation has reached a point where they have directly urged BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman to intervene, saying that rebels at the grassroots could damage the credibility of the alliance and affect results in multiple seats.

Saiful Haque, general secretary of Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, who contests in Dhaka-12, said a BNP leader entered the race as an independent contender even after being expelled.

"This is uncomfortable and embarrassing for me. Tarique Rahman will speak to the matter individually. I hope a decision will be made within five to seven days."

Saiful said he met Tarique yesterday afternoon and raised his concerns. "He may talk to those who have become candidates by going against party instructions."

In Cumilla-7, Redwan Ahmed, who joined the BNP after stepping down as general secretary of the LDP, said he does not expect support from BNP rebels, even if they withdraw from the race.

The BNP has also shared four seats with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, but alliance leaders alleged that BNP figures are contesting in those constituencies and are not assisting alliance nominees.

Jamiat Secretary General Manzurul Islam Afendi, running the race from Nilphamari-1, said the situation is embarrassing for partners and expressed hope that Tarique would resolve the issue.

"Not only my seats, in the other four seats where BNP leaders have contested as independent candidates, it is embarrassing for all of us. We hope Tarique Rahman will resolve this problem."

In Kishoreganj-5, Syed Ehsanul Huda, who dissolved his party Bangladesh Jatiya Dal and joined the BNP, said he hopes that the BNP high command will instruct grassroots leaders to work for the nominee.

In Brahmanbaria-6, Zonayed Saki,chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolan, is contesting with BNP support after the party refrained from nominating its candidate.

An expelled BNP leader submitted his nomination papers, but they were cancelled.

"I hope BNP leaders accept the central decision," Saki said.

In Habiganj-1, BNP contender Reza Kibria, who joined the party recently, said, "Some people work for personal interests, some for party interests. We understand this."

In Patuakhali-3, the BNP left the seat for Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, but a BNP leader is running there as a rebel contestant.