BNP Expels Six Leaders Over Rival Campaign

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled six local leaders from its Shahbazpur Union unit in Sarail upazila, Brahmanbaria, for their alleged involvement in the election campaign of independent candidate Rumin Farhana in the Brahmanbaria–2 constituency. The disciplinary action underscores the party’s firm stance on enforcing internal discipline ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

The decision was announced on Tuesday afternoon through an official press release signed by ABM Salauddin, office secretary of the Sarail upazila BNP. According to the statement, the expulsions were ordered for violating party discipline and defying a directive issued by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, which prohibits party members from supporting rebel or independent candidates contesting against the party line.

Those expelled include Munshi Aman Mia, general secretary of Shahbazpur Union BNP; Jewel Ali, office secretary; Junaid Khan, publicity secretary; Nur Uddin, assistant secretary for youth affairs; Monir Hossain, assistant organising secretary; and Abdul Malek, a member of Ward No. 6 under Shahbazpur Union. The expulsion removes them from both their organisational posts and their primary membership of the BNP.

The order was issued on the instructions of Anisul Islam Thakur, vice-president of the district BNP and president of the Sarail upazila unit, and Nuruzzaman Laskar, district BNP’s legal affairs secretary and general secretary of the Sarail upazila BNP. Party leaders said the move was necessary to maintain unity and organisational discipline during the sensitive pre-election period.

Local and party sources revealed that the six leaders had been actively involved in Rumin Farhana’s election campaign from the outset. Their roles reportedly went beyond informal support. Jewel Ali served as a proposer for Rumin Farhana’s nomination papers, while Junaid Khan acted as a supporter and Nur Uddin signed as a witness—actions considered direct and open defiance of party directives.

Speaking to the media, Sarail upazila BNP General Secretary Nuruzzaman Laskar said the expulsions were unavoidable. “They were engaged in activities that clearly violated party discipline. Despite repeated instructions, they continued to support a rebel candidate. For the sake of organisational integrity, we were compelled to take strict action,” he said.

Political analysts note that the expulsions reflect a broader trend within major political parties to tighten internal controls as elections approach. By taking swift disciplinary measures, the BNP aims to deter similar acts of dissent and reinforce loyalty to central leadership decisions.

Observers also point out that internal divisions and rebel candidacies have historically posed challenges for major parties during elections. BNP leaders believe that firm enforcement of discipline at the grassroots level will help prevent vote fragmentation and present a more unified front to the electorate.

Expelled BNP Leaders at a Glance

The BNP has reiterated that it will continue to take disciplinary action against any member found violating party decisions, signalling zero tolerance for activities deemed detrimental to party unity during the electoral process.