BNP Nominee Seeks Action Against Rebels

Internal divisions within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have surfaced sharply in the Madaripur-1 (Shibchar) constituency ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The party’s officially nominated candidate, Nadira Akhtar, has formally requested disciplinary action against two so-called “rebel” candidates and five of their alleged associates, accusing them of breaching party discipline and defying central directives.

On 13 January, Nadira Akhtar submitted a written complaint to Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Member Secretary of the BNP’s Central Election Steering Committee. In her letter, she alleged that the two leaders—who failed to secure the party ticket but are now contesting as independents—have continued their campaigns despite explicit instructions from the party centre to withdraw. She further claimed that they are seeking votes using the BNP’s name and identity, thereby confusing voters and fuelling factionalism at the grassroots level.

The two independent candidates are Kamal Jaman Mollah, a member of Shibchar Upazila BNP, and Sajjad Hossain Siddiqui, Joint Convenor of the Madaripur District BNP. According to Nadira’s complaint, several local leaders are actively supporting their campaigns, including Shibchar Upazila BNP Joint Convenor Shahjahan Mollah, Shibchar Municipal BNP Member Secretary Azmal Hossain Khan, Upazila BNP members Mahabub Madbar and Shamim Chowdhury, and Tuman Chowdhury, Joint General Secretary of the district unit of the BNP-affiliated Swechchhasebak Dal.

Speaking to the media, Nadira Akhtar said the continued presence of rebel candidates had placed both voters and party workers in an uncomfortable position. She warned that the parallel campaigns were undermining organisational unity and weakening the BNP’s electoral prospects in a competitive constituency. As the officially endorsed candidate, she said she felt compelled to inform the central leadership and hoped decisive organisational measures would be taken to restore discipline.

The dispute has its roots in a controversial nomination process. In the first phase, the BNP awarded the Madaripur-1 ticket to Kamal Jaman Mollah. However, following protests by supporters of Sajjad Hossain Siddiqui, the nomination was suspended. In a second round of deliberations, the party nominated Nadira Akhtar, who also serves as a Joint Convenor of Shibchar Upazila BNP.

Kamal Jaman Mollah has rejected accusations of indiscipline, arguing that his initial nomination was based on merit and long-standing political work. He claimed that a conspiratorial group engineered his removal in favour of an unpopular candidate, a decision he says local voters have rejected. Sajjad Hossain Siddiqui, meanwhile, has challenged the party leadership to summon him for dialogue, stating that he is unconcerned about possible disciplinary action.

Adding to the tension, Shahjahan Mollah criticised the central leadership’s decision, calling it an injustice to grassroots activists and local public opinion. He said that in his 42 years of political involvement, he had never witnessed such a situation.

Key Figures in the Madaripur-1 Dispute

With campaigning intensifying, observers say the BNP leadership now faces a critical test: whether it can enforce party discipline without further alienating local leaders, while preserving unity ahead of polling day.