CHATTOGRAM, Dec 27: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is confronting growing internal dissent as rebel candidates emerge in all 16 Chattogram constituencies ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. Despite officially announcing nominees earlier, the party faces a wave of rebellion from aspirants who have collected nomination papers, threatening to split the vote and test party unity across the district.
On Saturday, BNP made three key changes to its candidate list. In Chattogram-4 Sitakunda, Kazi M. Salahuddin was replaced by Aslam Chowdhury. In Chattogram-10 Double Mooring-Pahartali, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury was replaced by Sayeed Al Noman, son of former minister Abdullah Al Noman, while Amir Khasru will now contest from Chattogram-11 Bandar-Patenga. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir handed over the updated nomination certificates to the candidates, formalizing the changes. These adjustments reverse the initial announcement on December 4, when Kazi Md Salahuddin and Amir Khasru had been named for Chattogram-4 and Chattogram-10, respectively.
With these changes, BNP has now announced candidates for 15 of the 16 constituencies in Chattogram, leaving Chattogram-14 Chandanaish pending. Other confirmed candidates include Nurul Amin from Chattogram-1 Mirsharai, Sarwar Alamgir from Chattogram-2 Fatikchari, Mustafa Kamal Pasha from Chattogram-3 Sandwip, Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin from Chattogram-5 Hathazari, Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury from Chattogram-6 Raozan, Hummam Quader Chowdhury from Chattogram-7 Rangunia, Ershad Ullah from Chattogram-8 Chandgaon-Boalkhali, Abu Sufian from Chattogram-9 Kotwali-Bakalia, Mohammad Enamul Haque from Chattogram-12 Patiya, Sarwar Jamal Nizam from Chattogram-13 Anowara-Karnaphuli, Nazmul Mustafa Amin from Chattogram-15 Satkania-Lohagara, and Mishkatul Islam Chowdhury Pappa from Chattogram-16.
Meanwhile, more than 60 aspirants have collected nomination papers from the Election Commission across the district. In some constituencies, there are as many as four to eight aspirants from BNP alone, ensuring that official party candidates will face stiff challenges from rebels in every constituency. Political analysts warn that the presence of rebel candidates could split votes, complicate BNP's campaign strategies, and potentially impact the party's performance in Chattogram, a key electoral region.
With election day approaching, the party's ability to manage internal dissent and maintain cohesion among its official candidates will be critical in determining its overall success in the district.
