BNP Faces Internal Rivalry Ahead of Local Govt Elections
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
BNP is grappling with significant internal competition as multiple veteran leaders in almost every local unit vie for party backing in the upcoming local government elections.
From the capital’s city corporations to remote upazilas and union parishads, a silent but intense struggle for dominance has emerged among grassroots leaders, sparking fears of organizational factionalism.
An investigation reveals that in the Bagha Upazila of Rajshahi, at least five influential leaders - Fakhrul Hasan Bablu (Upazila BNP Convener), Suruzzaman Suruj (former Municipality BNP General Secretary), Jahangir Alam (former Upazila BNP President), Roknuzzaman Manik (District BNP member), and Salauddin Ahmed Shamim Sarkar (District Chatradal Convener) - are actively campaigning.
Similarly, multiple leaders in Jashore’s Keshabpur and Tangail’s Kakua Union Parishad are vying for the chairman post, including Shahadat Hossain Shaha, Khademul Islam, Swapan Mahmud, Nazarul Islam, and Md Joynal Abedin.
The rivalry is equally fierce in Dhaka. For ward councilor positions in Dhaka South’s Ward 9, Ahammad Ali (Ward 9 BNP General Secretary), Habibullah Mahbub (Shramik Dal member), and Anwar Hossain Anu (Motijheel BNP member) are seeking support.
In Dhaka North’s Ward 2, the contenders include Mir Imran Hossain Mithun (Chatradal Central Joint Secretary), Sajjad Hossain (Dhaka North BNP member), Mostafa Sarker (Ward 2 BNP President), and Rajib Hossain Pintu (Pallabi Jubodal BNP former President).
The mayoral race for the Dhaka North City Corporation sees six aspirants, including current Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, MA Kayum, Tabith Awal, Mostafa Zaman, ABMA Razzaq, and M Kafil Uddin Ahmed.
In Dhaka South, candidates such as current Administrator Abdus Salam, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, State Minister of Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain, Tanveer Ahmed Robin, Kazi Abul Bashar, Abdul Monayem Munna, and Mohila Dal’s President Afroza Abbas are competing for the party’s nod.
BNP Central leaders admit that ensuring a single candidate for each of the 495 upazilas, over 330 municipalities, and 4,599 union parishads is the party’s greatest challenge.
BNP to Finalize Candidate Selection Within Two Months
BNP sources said that the party aims to complete its candidate selection process within the next two months. Organizing secretaries will finalize this procedure by drawing on opinions from upazila and municipal units, advice from district leaders, and their own internal investigations.
The secretaries will then submit the finalized list. The party will support potential candidates based on three primary criteria: local popularity, acceptability, and their role in political movements.
While the former Awami League government conducted local elections using party symbols, the upcoming polls will follow a non-partisan format.
BNP sources added that the central leadership may directly support mayoral candidates for city corporations, whereas local units will endorse candidates for upazila chairmen, union parishad chairmen, and municipal mayors under central guidance.
While the 11-party alliance remains intact, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) have already announced they will field their own candidates.
BNP Rajshahi Divisional Organizing Secretary Syed Shahin Shawkat told Agamir Somoy, “BNP is now in state power. So, they want the local government elections in a festive environment. Qualified candidates will be supported based on popularity, acceptability, and role in movements.”
Despite visible internal friction and the unresolved status of nearly 600 members expelled during the 13th parliamentary elections, the party leadership remains optimistic.
BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman told Agamir Somoy, “In a non-partisan election, it is natural for many to be interested. As the election approaches, many will step down through mutual understanding. Therefore, there will be no major problem in determining a single candidate in the end.”
