Shaheen Abdul Bari

Published:
2025-11-27 03:30:39 BdST

Political atmosphere heated with protests by those denied nominationsBNP candidates tensed despite receiving party nomination in Tangail

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the initial list of candidates for 237 seats on November 3 ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. He also said that this is the initial list. The candidacy for any seat can change at any time.

Violence over the nomination of BNP candidates has claimed lives in at least two districts. In addition, processions, protest rallies, human chains, road blockades, and demonstrations are taking place in many other districts demanding changes to the announced nominations.

Since then, some constituencies have come under special discussion due to the strong reaction from BNP workers and supporters in most parts of the country. Tangail district is one of them.

There are 8 parliamentary seats in Tangail district under Dhaka division. These seats were occupied by Awami League for the past 15 and a half years. During the Hasina government, numerous BNP leaders and activists were absconding. Some were victims of imprisonment and oppression. Many gave their lives selflessly for the party. Some colluded with Awami League leaders and activists and enjoyed all kinds of opportunities starting from business and commerce.

A report has been initially listed based on a thorough investigation by members of a special team formed by BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman regarding those nominated by BNP in this district for the upcoming parliamentary elections. But the candidates are not relieved even after getting nominations. In addition, those who were deprived of the party's nomination have entered the field as opponents. Where everyone is supposed to unite and work under the party banner as per Tarique Rahman's instructions; internal conflict has taken an extreme shape.

Also Read: 'Non-partisan organization' to handle dispute over BNP candidate list

As an unwanted rift has arisen among the leaders and activists of Tangail district BNP over the party nomination, the question has arisen in the public mind that whether those who were given the responsibility of verifying the popularity of potential candidates in each parliamentary constituency and sending reports to the center have somehow been manipulated? Or are they helping BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman by providing accurate reports? This question is now circulating throughout Tangail.

The nomination hopefuls are holding protests, rallies and showdowns every day demanding that the party high command change their nominations and re-verify them before giving them final nominations. As a result, these agendas are becoming more and more chaotic day by day. And various political parties including Jamaat are trying to take advantage of this conflict and division. In this difficult situation, there is a joyful atmosphere among the leaders and activists of the Awami League who are struggling. Overall, the amount of damage to BNP is increasing gradually.

The FT team's on-site investigation in Tangail shows that those who were denied nominations in every seat are prioritizing themselves over the party. And those who have received nominations are also prioritizing themselves in the same way to maintain their nominations. So, there is discussion and criticism everywhere about how to reduce conflicts within the party.

In the meantime, many people have been injured and businesses have been vandalized in clashes between the two parties in Madhupur. In this situation, supporters of the initial nominees are conducting public relations on one hand. On the other hand, they are struggling to handle their party opponents. As a result, the candidates are not getting relief even after getting the much-awaited nominations. Members of the law enforcement agencies are also struggling to keep the situation under control.

On November 3, BNP announced the initial names of potential candidates for 237 seats. Although nominations were announced for seven out of eight seats in Tangail district, the announcement of candidates for the Sadar seat was postponed. At the same time, the party high command instructed to refrain from activities such as joyous processions and distribution of sweets. After observing for a few days, those deprived of nominations started participating in public relations, meetings and gatherings with the message of changing the nomination. Now it has taken the form of a protest activity.

Tangail- 01

BNP executive committee member Fakir Mahbub Anam Swapan was nominated for the Tangail-01 (Madhupur-Dhanbari) constituency. Later, he tried to bridge the gap with Advocate Mohammad Ali, another party executive committee member candidate. But to no avail. His workers and supporters held a protest march and rally demanding that Mohammad Ali be nominated for this constituency by changing the nomination. This led to a chase and clash between the two sides on November 19. In this unexpected incident, Swapan Fakir's supporters held a march and rally demanding that Mohammad Ali be expelled from the party. Mohammad Ali's supporters also held a meeting and rally against Swapan Fakir. In this situation, the district BNP has come under some criticism from the general voters and the public.

Tangail-2

Meanwhile, a completely different picture is seen in Tangail-2 (Gopalpur-Bhuapur) constituency. In this constituency, the nomination of BNP Vice Chairman Abdus Salam Pintu, who was acquitted in the August 21 grenade attack case, was announced. As there is no other candidate from the party, an atmosphere of relief prevails in this constituency.

Abdus Salam Pintu was elected as a member of parliament three times from Tangail-02 (Gopalpur-Bhuapur) constituency. He was defeated by Khandaker Asaduzzaman, father-in-law of Mozammel Babu, a former bureaucrat and owner of 71 TV, by a huge margin each time.

The popular leader was framed in a false case in the August 21 grenade attack incident as part of a plan to destroy the BNP. Two more of Pintu's brothers, Maulana Tajuddin and Ratul Babu, were accused in this case. Another brother of Pintu and former district BNP president, agriculturalist Shamsul Alam Tofa, was accused in multiple cases and was forced to leave the country. Another brother of Abdus Salam Pintu, BNP's publicity secretary and former central Juba Dal and Chhatra Dal president Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, was subjected to inhuman torture. He was accused in 350 cases in the 17 years of fascist Hasina. He was arrested 12 times by law enforcement agencies. Sultan Salahuddin Tuku served 5 years in prison for various terms.

The politically conscious circles of Tangail believe that the fascist Awami League inflicted such barbaric torture on the Salam Pintu family to wipe out the BNP.

Meanwhile, since the nomination was announced, Pintu's supporters have been holding yard meetings, opinion-exchange meetings, mass contacts, meetings and processions in some area every day. Since there is no party conflict in this seat, Abdus Salam Pintu is largely independent. If everything goes well, BNP will win an absolute victory here.

Tangail-3

BNP executive committee member SM Obaidul Haque Nasir is the party's nominated candidate for Tangail-3 (Ghatail) constituency. Since his name was announced, supporters of former state minister Lutfar Rahman Khan Azad, another nomination hopeful, have been holding protests and rallies. This constituency is becoming heated with opposing agendas.

The main allegation against Lutfar Rahman Azad in this constituency is that he has not participated in any BNP meeting or rally for the past 15 and a half years. However, he has retained public support in the area.

The FT team's undercover investigation into this matter has shown that Lutfar Rahman Azad and former Awami League MP Amanur Rahman Khan Rana are of the same lineage. Based on this source, Rana's workers and supporters are joining Azad's procession every day. As a result, thousands of people are gathering in Azad's procession.

On the other hand, although there is no such controversial issue, allegations have been made against BNP's nominated candidate for this seat, SM Obaidul Haque Nasir, that he is a resident of Ghatail through his mother.

Tangail-4

BNP executive committee member Lutfar Rahman Matin has been nominated for the Tangail-4 (Kalihati) constituency. Several other candidates, including BNP Dhaka division's co-organizing secretary Benazir Ahmed Titu and Central Muktijoddha Dal vice-president Engineer Abdul Halim Mia, were also in the running for the seat.

According to party sources, Lutfar Rahman Matin had spoken at various meetings and gatherings with former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui during the previous Awami League regime. When this issue sparked controversy in various party forums, Matin announced his voluntary departure from BNP politics in 2016.

Shortly after the release of the BNP candidate list on November 3, a picture of Matin together with Latif Siddiqui went viral on social media.

Not only that, but during the previous government's rule, Matin also attended various Awami League events. In addition, there have been serious allegations that he is assisting and sponsoring the rehabilitation of Awami League supporters in the BNP.

According to party sources, for the past 17 years, the common people of Kalihati had no connection with Matin. He did not stand by any leader and activist of Kalihati during the difficult times of BNP. Lutfor Rahman Matin has celebrated Sheikh Hasina's birthday more than once. The grassroots BNP leaders and activists of Kalihati are in no way able to accept the nomination of such a person by BNP.

Meanwhile, a special investigation by the FT team into other nomination candidates in Tangail-4 constituency has revealed widespread public support for the discussed candidate, Engineer Abdul Halim.

In this regard, local leaders and activists of BNP said that Engineer Abdul Halim has been organizing the party for a long time through various peaceful activities including distributing 31-point leaflets. Being popular with the party and the general public at the field level, he has demanded BNP's nomination in the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections. Besides, among all the nomination hopefuls in the upcoming elections, he was the first to demand that freedom fighters be given priority in the BNP's final candidate list.

According to sources, Engineer Abdul Halim received the party nomination from this seat in the 2018 National Assembly elections. If everything goes well and the re-election is done properly, there is no alternative to Engineer Halim in the Tangail-4 seat, his supporters claim.

According to them, if they want to win the election battle with an influential politician like Latif Siddiqui in this seat, there is no alternative to another popularly supported leader, Halim.

On the other hand, there are various allegations against another nomination hopeful, Benazir Ahmed Titu, including occupying Balu Mahal, selling party positions, and rehabilitating Awami League supporters to BNP.

It is known from talking to local leaders and activists that after August 5, Titu threw out the real sacrificed and persecuted leaders and activists of Kalihati BNP and formed various committees with people of his choice. Many of the fallen Awami clan found a place in these committees. As a result, all the top leaders of Kalihati united against Titu and worked in the political field. In this situation, Benazir Ahmed Titu was practically left alone. Nevertheless, his workers and supporters hope that Titu will get the final nomination for this seat.

In addition, there are allegations that all the Balu Mahals in Kalihati have been taken over by Titu's supporters. Recently, there have been incidents of fights between the Matin group and the Titu group in the Elenga municipality area.

Besides, Benazir's supporters got involved in various misdeeds including terrorism and extortion in the area. As a result, the BNP high command became unhappy with Titu. Many believe that for these reasons, he was deprived of the party's nomination.

Due to the various controversial activities mentioned above, the grassroots leaders and activists of BNP now have only one demand and that is - immediately withdraw the nomination of Lutfor Rahman Matin and give the final nomination to Engineer Halim for the Tangail-4 constituency.

Tangail-5

BNP announced its list of candidates for 237 seats in the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections. The party has not given its nomination for one of these seats. The seat in question is Tangail-5 (Sadar).

For some unknown reason, the BNP high command has postponed the party nomination announcement for Tangail-5 constituency. Every media outlet has started a research to find out the reason. However, the reason has not been found till date. Among the possible candidates for this constituency, BNP Central Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku is a candidate.

On the ground, it can be seen that Tuku is carrying out planned mass outreach in every area of Tangail Sadar constituency with infinite patience, courage and intelligence to change the fate of the common people. Wherever he goes in the constituency, people's enthusiasm is seen surrounding Tuku. A wave of people is being created. With widespread public support, he is touring the entire constituency through meetings and mass outreach.

Inspired by his tireless work and desire to do something for the people, the common people of the Tangail Char area are also joining hands and working with Tuku. They are conducting election campaigns for Tuku on their own initiative.

They have kept Tuku's election campaign lively by organizing various social and cultural programs. Along with this, there has been a stir in the educational arena around Tuku's people-friendly programs. Despite various adversities and limitations, he has extended a helping hand to teachers and students at different times. For these reasons, Tuku has become an acceptable leader to everyone.

Recently, Alhaj Sultan Salahuddin Tuku distributed winter clothes among the cold-stricken people in Tangail Sadar area on the occasion of the 61st birth anniversary of Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of BNP and the future statesman of Bangladesh.

As the severity of winter increases, local people are seeing providing winter clothing to the helpless people of Tangail city and surrounding areas as a humanitarian responsibility.

This humanitarian initiative in Tangail district not only alleviated the suffering of those suffering from the cold, but also strengthened the unity, compassion, and commitment to public service among party leaders and activists.

Tuku is not only participating in the political arena, but also in various religious events. He meets prominent Islamic thinkers, seeks blessings, and gives guidance to local BNP leaders and activists to quickly resolve issues by learning about their various opportunities.

In addition to various developmental works, he is also involved in social activities. Tuku has launched a seven-day cleanliness drive to transform Tangail into a clean city. During this time, cleanliness activities were conducted with the participation of volunteers in the city's main roads, markets and residential areas.

Advocate Farhad Iqbal, the general secretary of the district BNP, is also holding public relations and meetings in this constituency. The political atmosphere in the area is becoming turbulent as Farhad's supporters, jealous of Tuku's huge popularity, are spreading various slanders against him on social media.

The activists claim that vested interests have repeatedly engaged in propaganda and slander against Sultan Salahuddin Tuku through social media. These heinous acts were carried out out of complete political hatred and with the aim of socially degrading Tuku.

When asked about this, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said, "It has been my long-standing dream to make Tangail Sadar free from terrorism, extortionists and juvenile gangs and make it a model of development." Besides, I am working towards the implementation of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's 31-point plan and the re-establishment of the ideals of martyred President Ziaur Rahman. I have become an eyesore to many people in this regard.

He further said, "I was in jail for more than 5 years out of the 15 and a half years of the fallen government. I was beaten to death by the police during the protest on the streets. My family was subjected to brutal torture and oppression. But I have no regrets about it. I have always been loyal to the party high command and worked according to the party's instructions."

Drawing the attention of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, local leaders and activists told this reporter that considering his loyal loyalty to the party high command, sacrifice for the country and the party, organizational skills, family tradition, and social status, they will nominate Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, a talented son of the area and a promising and emerging politician, as the BNP candidate for the Tangail-5 (Sadar) constituency in the upcoming National Parliament elections and give him a chance to win the vote under the paddy sheaf symbol.

It is worth noting that Barrister Ziaur Rahman Plato, another BNP candidate in the fray, is also campaigning for his followers.

Tangail-6

Among all the other seats, former Chhatra Dal leader Rabiul Awal Lavlu, who received the BNP's primary nomination for Tangail-6 (Nagarpur-Delduar) constituency, is somewhat relieved. Although there are multiple candidates hoping for nomination in this seat, there were not many meetings or rallies in their favor.

Rabiul Awal Lavlu told the FT team, "Two candidates are trying to tarnish my image by spreading false news mixed with untruths and fabricated information in various media outlets. However, I firmly believe that they will not succeed."

Tangail-7

BNP's central children's affairs secretary and former MP Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui has received the party's primary nomination for the Tangail-7 (Mirzapur) constituency. BNP's joint cultural affairs secretary Saidur Rahman Sayeed Sohrab is the other candidate for the nomination in this constituency.

Speaking to locals, it was learned that Sayeed Sohrab has been working in the polling field in various ways, including distributing 31-point leaflets, for a long time. His workers and supporters staged a huge showdown demanding the cancellation of the nomination announced last Saturday.

Tangail-8

The incident of BNP's nominated candidate for Tangail-8 (Sakhipur) constituency, Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, threatening a freedom fighter over the phone has gone viral on social media. Freedom fighters have formed a human chain in Sakhipur in protest of this incident. Freedom fighters have also held a rally at Nirala More in Tangail city. Krishak Sramik Janata League President Bangabhir Quader Siddiqui has also expressed solidarity with this program.

Although Ahmed Azam Khan sees this as part of a conspiracy by his opponents to defeat him in the elections. However, after the matter went viral on social media, Azam Khan tried to convince the activists-supporters and voters in various ways.

Asking about the allegations raised against Azam Khan, this correspondent called him several times but his cellphone was found switched off.

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