Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 12th January 2026, 10:39 AM
As the national election approaches, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is facing a serious internal challenge: numerous party leaders are defying directives by running as rebel candidates, creating unease among the party’s top leadership. According to party sources, out of nearly 200 rebel candidates nationwide, only four have formally withdrawn their nominations so far.
Party leaders remain hopeful that more rebels will step aside in the coming days and pledge support for officially nominated candidates. However, the ongoing defiance has already sparked internal conflicts, causing discomfort among BNP’s election partners. Political analysts have warned that persistent disobedience against party decisions could weaken the electoral prospects of BNP’s official candidates, potentially opening doors for rival candidates in several constituencies.
The official deadline for candidate withdrawal is 20 January. So far, ten BNP leaders have been expelled for violating party directives by contesting elections independently.
An analysis of nomination papers submitted across 63 districts reveals that 179 BNP leaders have filed nominations in 118 constituencies. While some constituencies were reserved for allied parties, several prominent BNP leaders have disregarded these allocations.
| Constituency | Official Party Position | Rebel Candidate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka-12 | No BNP candidate | Saiful Haque (RWP) | Seat left for Revolutionary Workers Party |
| Brahmanbaria-2 | Reserved for Jamaat-e-Islami | Rumin Farhana | Ex-BNP co-international secretary |
| Patuakhali-3 | Reserved for Nurul Haque (Gonadhikar Parishad) | Hasan Mamun | Rebel BNP candidate |
| Narayanganj-4 | Reserved for Jamaat candidate | Muhammad Gias Uddin | Rebel BNP candidate |
| Bhola-1 | Reserved for Andaleeb Rahman Partho (BNP ally) | Golam Nabi Alamgir | Rebel BNP candidate |
| Natore-1, Jhalokathi-1, Kishoreganj-1 | Official candidates nominated | 4 rebel BNP leaders | Violated party directive |
Some rebel candidates have reversed their decision following direct intervention by BNP chairman Tarique Rahman. On 9 January, SonaMganj-5 candidate Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury met Tarique at the BNP Gulshan office and agreed to withdraw. He later confirmed via a verified Facebook post that the chairman requested his withdrawal for the party and nation’s interest. Similarly, Noakhali-5 rebel candidate Hasna Jasimuddin Moudud withdrew on 5 January after meeting Tarique Rahman.
In Brahmanbaria-6, Abdul Khalek, initially a rebel candidate, also stepped aside following the chairman’s directive. The seat had been allocated to BNP’s coalition partner, Gonoshonghoti Andolon’s chief coordinator Jonaid Sakir. Former MP Syed A K Ekramuzzaman of Brahmanbaria-1 similarly announced withdrawal and pledged support for the official candidate.
Other rebel candidates, such as Murshida Khatun in Jhenaidah-4, have also submitted withdrawal applications, making way for party-endorsed candidates like Rashed Khan. Senior BNP leaders have warned that any candidate who fails to withdraw within the deadline could face further disciplinary actions, including expulsion.
The current wave of rebellion highlights the challenges BNP faces in maintaining party discipline, coordinating alliances, and ensuring cohesive election strategies ahead of a fiercely contested national election. With over 200 rebel nominations, the party’s ability to manage internal dissent will be crucial in determining electoral outcomes.
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