BNP puts trust in administrators for upcoming City Corporation elections

The administrators currently in charge are seeking to become BNP candidates in the upcoming City Corporation elections. They have already started lobbying to secure party nominations. Party policymakers also believe that if they possess acceptability and popularity, the party will consider their candidacies.

When asked, BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman told Agamiri Somoy that if any of the existing administrators resign to contest the elections and if they have performed well during their tenure, possessing popularity and acceptability, the party will certainly consider them.

Within a week of coming to power, the government appointed six administrators in six city corporations across the country on February 23, including Dhaka North and South. In Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), the government appointed Abdus Salam, a member of the BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council, as administrator. He previously served as the convener of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP.

Additionally, this veteran BNP leader served as the deputy mayor of the undivided Dhaka City Corporation. In the last election, he served as the chief election agent for BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman in the Dhaka-17 constituency.

Expressing his intention to participate in the upcoming city election, Abdus Salam told Agamiri Somoy, "I came here as an administrator to contest for mayoral post. I have past experience working as acting mayor. Furthermore, I have been involved in Dhaka city politics for a long time. I hope to work based on past experience to ensure civic services. However, the matter entirely depends on the party chairman. If he grants nomination, I will contest. I am working normally now so that people realize I can work for them if given responsibility. This serves as a test before the actual test."

Former central vice president of Jubo Dal, Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, is serving as the administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). He was the member secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo Dal. In the 13th parliamentary election, he was the BNP candidate for the Dhaka-15 constituency, though he lost to Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman.

Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton told Agamiri Somoy, "The government sent me as the administrator of Dhaka North City to work. I am working to ensure civic services. In the future, if the party endorses me for the mayoral post, I will contest the election. If the party endorses someone else, I will work on their behalf. The party will make the final decision on this matter."

However, alongside administrators Abdus Salam and Shafiqul Islam Milton, several other BNP leaders also wish to run for mayor in the two Dhaka city corporations. They are waiting for a green signal from the party. Regarding this, Selima Rahman said, "BNP is a large party, and furthermore, BNP is currently in state power. Therefore, it is natural that many will want to be candidates in the upcoming City Corporation elections. Decisions regarding who the party will support will be made after discussions in party forums at the appropriate time."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that several administrators have already received green signals regarding party nominations for the mayoral race. As part of ground preparation, BNP high command advised them to gain public trust through their work.

Multiple responsible BNP leaders indicated that those with the highest likelihood of securing party support as mayoral candidates were given responsibilities as administrators. Through their work, they are getting the opportunity to increase public engagement. Their current activities, coordination with leaders and activists, acceptability, organizational capability, and field-level activity are being monitored and evaluated. If anyone gets involved in controversial activities or creates a negative image during their tenure, a new candidate may be considered for that respective city.

This time, local government elections will be held on a non-partisan basis. Although the exact schedule has not been finalized, the Election Commission hopes to begin local government elections with Union Parishad elections starting January 2027. However, several government officials said that with administrators appointed, there is little likelihood of City Corporation elections taking place within at least a year.

Others in discussion for Dhaka South: Among other potential BNP candidates being discussed for mayor in Dhaka South are Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain, former Deputy Mayor Kazi Abul Bashar, Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna, and Mohila Dal President Afroza Abbas.

Others in discussion for Dhaka North: Among potential BNP candidates discussed for Dhaka North City are Central Microcredit Affairs Secretary and former Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP President MA Quayum, Executive Committee Member Tabith Awal, Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP Member Secretary Mostafa Zaman, Joint Convener (Office) ABMA Razzaq, and another Joint Convener Kafil Uddin Ahmed.
Tabith Awal was the party's mayoral candidate in the 2020 Dhaka North City Corporation election. MA Quayum was the BNP candidate for the Dhaka-11 constituency in the 13th parliamentary election. Mostafa Zaman and Kafil Uddin Ahmed were among BNP's nomination seekers for the Dhaka-18 constituency in the last national election.

Nazrul Islam Manju, former central organizational secretary of BNP and former president of Khulna Metropolitan BNP, was given responsibility as the administrator of Khulna City Corporation. This former Member of Parliament for Khulna-2 contested from the same constituency this time and lost to the Jamaat candidate.

Sylhet District BNP President Abdul Quaiyum Chowdhury became the administrator of Sylhet City Corporation. In the last national election, he was a BNP nomination seeker for the Sylhet-3 constituency. However, instead of receiving the nomination, he was assigned as the election coordinator for BNP across all six parliamentary constituencies in Sylhet district.

Sakhawat Hossain Khan, convener of Narayanganj Metropolitan BNP, received the responsibility of administrator for Narayanganj City Corporation. In the 2016 City Corporation election, he contested for mayor under the Sheaf of Paddy symbol and lost. In this parliamentary election, he sought the party nomination for the Narayanganj-5 constituency but did not receive it.

Showkat Hossain Sarkar, president of Gazipur Metropolitan BNP, was placed in the administrator post for Gazipur City Corporation. In the 13th parliamentary election, he was a party nomination seeker for the Gazipur-2 constituency.

Following the continuation of the six city corporations, the government appointed BNP leaders as administrators in Barishal, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Rangpur, and Cumilla on March 14. Bilkis Jahan Shireen became the administrator of Barishal City Corporation. She serves as the BNP organizational secretary for the Barishal division. Mahfuzur Rahman received responsibility for Rajshahi City; he has been serving as the general secretary of Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP.

Rukunuzzaman Rokon, member secretary of Mymensingh South District BNP, became the administrator of that city's civic body. Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury, member secretary of Rangpur Metropolitan BNP, became the administrator of Rangpur City Corporation. Yusuf Molla, general secretary of Cumilla Metropolitan BNP, became the administrator for its city corporation. Most recently, on May 18, the government appointed MR Islam Swadhin, vice president of Bogura District BNP, as administrator of the newly formed Bogura City Corporation.