BNP Fields Candidates in Seats Where Nahid, Akhtar, Hasnat, and Sarjis of NCP Intend to Contest

Top leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) are interested in contesting from several constituencies across Dhaka and other districts. Informal discussions are ongoing with the BNP regarding seat-sharing, but the BNP has already announced candidates in most of those constituencies, including the ones preferred by NCP leaders Nahid Islam, Akhtar Hossain, Hasnat Abdullah, and Sarjis Alam.

According to NCP sources, Convener Nahid Islam aims to run from Dhaka–11, while Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain is preparing to contest Rangpur–4. Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary’s preferred constituencies are Dhaka–18 or Chandpur–5. Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adib wants to contest Dhaka–14, and Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara plans to run from Dhaka–9.

Northern Chief Organizer Sarjis Alam intends to contest from Panchagarh–1, and Southern Chief Organizer Hasnat Abdullah from Cumilla–4. Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud is preparing to run from Noakhali–6.

On Monday afternoon, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the names of 237 candidates for the 13th National Parliamentary Election at a press conference held at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. Among the seats desired by NCP leaders, BNP has fielded candidates in all except Dhaka–9 and Dhaka–18. However, it remains uncertain whether these two constituencies have been reserved for NCP candidates.

Over fifty other central NCP leaders have also expressed interest in contesting the election. Among them are Monira Sharmin (Naogaon–5), Sarowar Tushar (Narsingdi–2), Atik Mujahid (Kurigram–2), Abdullah Al Amin (Narayanganj–4), S M Saif Mostafiz (Sirajganj–6), Ashraf Uddin (Brahmanbaria–2), and Zainal Abedin (Cumilla–10).

In the current interim government, student representatives Mahfuz Alam (Information Adviser) and Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan (Local Government Adviser) hold key positions. Although not directly involved with NCP politics, they are said to have influence over party decisions.

Party insiders say that if a seat-sharing deal is finalized with BNP, Asif Mahmud may resign from the government and contest Dhaka–10, either under the NCP banner or as an independent. Similarly, Mahfuz Alam may contest from Lakshmipur–1.

BNP has left Dhaka–10 and Lakshmipur–1 vacant, but it is unclear if these are intended for the two advisers. However, BNP has reportedly signaled support to Bangladesh LDP candidate Shahadat Hossain Selim in Lakshmipur–1.

When asked, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain told the media, “If a national consensus emerges in the greater interest of the country, NCP may enter into an electoral alliance with any anti-fascist party. However, no final decision has been made yet. NCP is preparing its own list of candidates, which will be published soon.”

Khaborwala/TSN