Amid candidate controversiesBNP may lose Tangail-4 and 8 seats

In the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections, BNP has nominated candidates for eight constituencies in Tangail. Among them, candidates for Tangail-4 and Tangail-8—Lutfur Rahman Motin and Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan—are facing various allegations.

Ahmed Azam Khan has come under scrutiny for allegedly threatening a freedom fighter, an incident widely circulated on social media and reported in multiple newspapers.

Meanwhile, Motin faces allegations of sheltering Awami League affiliates and having associations during the controversial periods of the government, including maintaining a lavish lifestyle alongside former MP Abdul Latif Siddiqui. Photos of him attending various meetings and gatherings with Siddiqui have gone viral on social media following his BNP nomination, sparking public debate.

Both Motin and Azam, however, consider these issues part of a political conspiracy and have stated so to the media. Despite receiving the long-awaited nomination, neither candidate feels fully secure. BNP’s high command has reportedly been briefed about the situation.

Ahmed Azam Controversy

Ahmed Azam Khan; Vice Chairman of BNP, has been embroiled in controversies involving threatening the coordinator of Tangail District Freedom Fighters’ Council, claiming to be a freedom fighter himself, and causing party workers to resign. BNP’s leadership is concerned that such controversies could affect the party’s performance in the upcoming election. Azam claims these incidents are part of a planned conspiracy.

Reports indicate that Azam Khan, BNP’s nominated candidate for Tangail-8 (Sakhipur-Basail), recently threatened Abdul Khalek Mondal, coordinator of Tangail District Freedom Fighters’ Council, via mobile phone and used offensive language. The threatening audio, recorded for 3 minutes and 56 seconds, was widely circulated on social media on November 20. In it, Azam allegedly warned the freedom fighter about harming him and interfering with his election campaign. The incident provoked strong anger among local freedom fighters, who held protest rallies and demonstrations in Sakhipur, Tangail city, and Bhuapur to condemn the threats.

During a subsequent election rally near Sakhipur College, Ahmed Azam claimed to have participated in the 1971 Liberation War, stating that he was active in the western region and Basail as an organizer. His claim sparked trolling on social media and criticism even from within his own party. Sakhipur Upazila BNP leaders, including former president Sajahan Saju, publicly refuted his freedom fighter claims, calling him a “fake freedom fighter.”

The controversy led to mass resignations within Sakhipur BNP. Eleven leaders, including Sajahan Saju and General Secretary Abdul Based Master, resigned citing Azam’s alleged fascist behavior, arbitrary decision-making, and mistreatment of party workers. Twenty-two members of the Ulama faction also resigned, causing widespread uproar in Tangail. In response, BNP’s district president and general secretary held an emergency meeting in Sakhipur, emphasizing that the party is strong and conspiracies against it will not succeed.

Ahmed Azam told media that a “deep conspiracy” is underway against him, BNP, and the party symbol ‘Dhanshis,’ but he expressed confidence that voters remain united and nothing can prevent BNP’s victory. Local BNP leaders, however, warn that irresponsible statements by senior figures could negatively affect the election outcome.

Tangail-4 Candidate Concerns

BNP’s primary candidate for Tangail-4, Lutfur Rahman Motin, has faced mixed reactions in Kalihati. Motin had largely remained distant from BNP activities over the past 17 years, maintaining close ties with Awami League leaders and attending their events, including commemorations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina’s birthdays. Photos and videos showing his association with former Awami League minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui have circulated online. Motin’s rallies have also reportedly included individuals facing criminal charges from Awami League student wings, causing resentment among grassroots BNP workers who struggle to accept his nomination.

Local feedback indicates that former minister Latif Siddiqui holds a substantial vote bank in the constituency, having defeated the Awami League’s candidate Mozharul Islam Thandu by a wide margin in 2024. Motin’s victory in such a scenario is considered uncertain.

Meanwhile, BNP’s Dhaka divisional organizational secretary, Benazir Ahmed Titu, who was denied nomination, has staged a show of force, further complicating matters for Motin. Accusations against Titu include control over local resources and extortion. Consequently, Kalihati has become a politically tense constituency.

Calls for Engineer Abdul Halim’s Nomination

Local freedom fighters and party supporters have called for the nomination of Engineer Abdul Halim, a respected and clean leader, who had been BNP’s candidate in 2018 but stepped aside for the alliance’s candidate. Halim is credited with uniting BNP’s grassroots workers and maintaining party programs in Kalihati despite threats, personal hardships, and his wife’s serious illness. Many believe that he remains the most credible candidate for Tangail-4.

Sources said, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to make a final decision and confidence is high that Abdul Halim will be nominated due to his integrity, freedom fighter background, and local support.

Notably, no freedom fighter has been included among BNP’s primary nominees this election cycle, intensifying calls for Halim’s inclusion.