In a decisive move ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, Habibur Rahman, the so-called “rebel” candidate from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), officially launched his campaign on Thursday in the Gopalganj-3 constituency, encompassing Tungipara and Kotalipara. His campaign began with visits to the graves of two national icons: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Allama Shamsul Haq Faridpuri, signalling a symbolic appeal to both political and religious sensibilities.
Habibur Rahman, a former president of the Tungipara Upazila Chhatra Dal and an erstwhile member of the district BNP, has chosen to contest the elections as an independent candidate after being denied the party’s official nomination. In a recent decision, the BNP’s central committee expelled him and two other district leaders for breaching party discipline, effectively stripping them of all party positions, including local-level memberships.
| Candidate | Party | Election Type | Nomination Status | Electoral Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habibur Rahman | BNP (Rebel) | Independent | Not nominated | Football |
| S M Zilani | BNP | Party | Nominated | Glasses |
On Thursday morning at approximately 11:00, Habibur Rahman paid respects at the grave of Allama Shamsul Haq Faridpuri, founder of Gawhardanga Khademul Islam Madrasa. He later proceeded to the Bangabandhu Memorial Complex, where, due to the main gate being closed, he stood outside Gate No. 3 to offer his respects. Immediately following these ceremonial visits, he launched his electoral campaign under the football symbol, which will serve as his official emblem in the upcoming polls.
The candidate’s itinerary then took him to the Tungipara Upazila Parishad grounds and the Patgati bus stand, where he engaged directly with voters. Addressing the crowd, he stated, “Gopalganj-3 is a significant constituency in Bangladesh. Here lie the remains of the founder of our nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and a guiding light of the religious community, Allama Shamsul Haq Faridpuri. I commence my campaign with due respect to their legacy.”
Speaking on his political journey, Habibur Rahman clarified that although he was once active in student politics and served in the district BNP, he has ceased all formal association with the party since 5 August. He submitted his resignation to the BNP Secretary-General via the postal service. He emphasised his commitment to local constituents, saying, “I aspire to serve the people, standing firmly against all forms of injustice and oppression, and to act as their voice in the political arena.”
With the elections approaching, his campaign is expected to test both party loyalty and voter sentiment in a constituency historically associated with the Awami League.