BNP Issues Three Directives to Nomination Aspirants

Ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections, one of the country’s major political parties, BNP, is actively engaged in multi-faceted preparations. The party is strategically moving forward, addressing diplomatic, organizational, and other concerns. Particularly, candidate selection, maintaining party discipline, and protecting the party’s image have emerged as major challenges for BNP.

In this context, the BNP high command has issued three key directives to its nomination aspirants:

Maintain unity at any cost,

Avoid creating disorder,

Work collectively in support of whichever candidate is nominated.

The party has warned that failure to adhere to these directives will result in stricter measures to maintain discipline and protect the party’s image. Responsible BNP leaders are already sending messages to maintain unity and resolve conflicts among members. Nomination aspirants are being called to the party office in Gulshan for guidance. However, allegations of favoritism have surfaced regarding which aspirants are being called. Some aspirants from certain constituencies reported that they are only called if favored by the organizational secretary or top leaders. Those abroad for professional reasons are often not informed.

It has been reported that during interactions with potential candidates, BNP leaders convey the firm message of the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman: those who disrupt party discipline will face strict organizational measures, and only the most popular and widely accepted candidates will be nominated.

Despite the high command’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy, complaints of extortion, tender manipulation, and internal divisions are regularly being submitted from different parts of the country. In response, over 7,000 party members have already faced disciplinary actions including expulsion, show-cause notices, and demotions, according to party office sources.

Strict Directives on Three Points

Last Sunday, at the party chairman’s office in Gulshan, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir held discussions with potential candidates from Sylhet Division constituencies. According to sources, he conveyed several important messages from the acting chairman Tarique Rahman to the aspirants.

Mirza Fakhrul stated that the party will select the most popular candidates based on multiple surveys. Those attempting to harm the party or create disorder will face strict disciplinary measures. In short, all aspirants must unite behind the Dhanshish symbol.

However, in several constituencies, multiple aspirants conducting separate programs have created open and hidden conflicts within the local party. To resolve these divisions, responsible leaders have communicated the high command’s instructions to the concerned individuals.

Challenge of Resolving Internal Conflicts

Resolving internal conflicts among party members ahead of the elections has become a major challenge for BNP. Complaints regarding irregularities, disorder, and disputes by local leaders are being regularly submitted to the central office from various districts, including Chandpur, Narsingdi, Chattogram, and Sunamganj. While the central and local BNP are taking organizational measures against the accused, conflicts persist.

BNP Joint Secretary General and Narsingdi district president Khairul Kabir Khokon said that wrongdoers will not be spared. A notice from Narsingdi district BNP mentioned that a recent Raipura Upazila BNP meeting deviated from the agenda, creating division, confusion, personal attacks, and threatening statements, violating party discipline and constitution. Consequently, all organizational activities of Raipura Upazila BNP have been suspended until further notice.

Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, a member of BNP’s standing committee, said, “Since August 5, no offender has been spared. If anyone damages the party’s name through wrongdoing, the party will not be responsible. BNP has never tolerated criminals or wrongdoers, and it will not in the future. Strict organizational measures will be taken against anyone creating disorder within the party.”