The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed regret following an incident in which singer Kanak Chapa faced disruption while submitting her nomination form for a reserved seat in parliament. The incident occurred on Saturday during the submission process for BNP nominations for reserved women’s seats.
On Sunday (12 April), at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi addressed the matter. He stated that the party regretted the incident and confirmed that organisational measures would be taken against those responsible for misconduct towards Kanak Chapa.
Rizvi clarified that the matter is being treated seriously within the party structure and that appropriate disciplinary steps will be implemented against individuals found to have behaved improperly during the nomination process.
He further provided updated figures regarding the ongoing nomination process for the 13th National Parliament’s reserved women’s seats. According to him, a total of 1,072 nomination forms were sold over the previous two days, while 300 forms were submitted during the same period. These figures reflect the initial stage of the party’s internal selection procedure.
Rizvi also outlined the party’s approach to candidate selection. He stated that individuals who have contributed to past movements and political struggles, as well as those previously involved in BNP politics, would be given priority in the nomination process. In addition, he noted that candidates who were injured in political movements, those with proven sacrifice, and those with recognised educational qualifications would be considered favourably.
He further added that women party activists with notable contributions would also be prioritised. Alongside politically active individuals, the party has also received nomination forms from distinguished women and cultural personalities, indicating a broader participation in the selection process.
The reserved women’s seats in the National Parliament are allocated through party nominations based on proportional representation, with political parties submitting lists of candidates according to their representation in the legislature. BNP’s current nomination process is part of this structured procedure.
The information provided by the party is summarised below:
| Topic | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident | Disruption during Kanak Chapa’s nomination submission |
| Location | BNP Central Office, Nayapaltan, Dhaka |
| Speaker | Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary General |
| Party Position | Expression of regret and announcement of disciplinary action |
| Nomination Forms Sold | 1,072 (over two days) |
| Nomination Forms Submitted | 300 (over two days) |
| Priority Criteria | Contribution to movements, sacrifice, injured activists, educational qualifications |
Rizvi reiterated that the nomination process remains ongoing and will continue under the party’s established organisational framework. He emphasised that all applications will undergo evaluation in accordance with internal guidelines before finalisation of candidate selections for the reserved seats.