In a decisive move to maintain internal discipline, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled eighteen leaders and activists from its Senbagh Upazila and municipal units in Noakhali. The disciplinary action was triggered by their public defection to the campaign of an independent candidate, Kazi Mafizur Rahman, thereby contravening official party directives for the Noakhali-2 constituency (comprising Senbagh and parts of Sonaimuri).
The expulsion was formalised through a press release signed by the BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, on Tuesday night. Mahbub Alamgir, the Convener of the Noakhali District BNP, confirmed the development on Wednesday afternoon, noting that the central command issued the directive following reports of the members actively campaigning against the party’s endorsed nominee.
High-Profile Casualties of the Purge
The list of expelled individuals includes high-ranking local officials, notably Jahangir Hossain Chowdhury and Nazrul Islam, both of whom served as Joint Conveners of the Senbagh Upazila BNP. The sweep also affected the municipal wing, with Joint Conveners Kamal Uddin and Rezaul Huq being removed from their posts.
The following table outlines the key figures removed during this disciplinary sweep:
| Name | Former Designation | Branch |
| Jahangir Hossain Chowdhury | Joint Convener | Senbagh Upazila BNP |
| Nazrul Islam | Joint Convener | Senbagh Upazila BNP |
| Abul Kalam Azad | Member (Former VP) | Senbagh Upazila BNP |
| Kamal Uddin | Joint Convener | Senbagh Municipal BNP |
| Rezaul Huq | Joint Convener | Senbagh Municipal BNP |
| Obaidul Huq | Member | Senbagh Upazila BNP |
Defiance Amongst the Ranks
Despite the severity of the expulsion, the mood among the dissenters remains defiant. Abul Kalam Azad, a former Vice President of the Upazila BNP and ex-Upazila Chairman, dismissed the significance of the move. Speaking with a touch of cynicism, he remarked, “Where the head is missing, what is the use of a hat? I no longer care for titles.”
Azad further asserted that the grassroots supporters are united behind the independent candidate, who is contesting under the ‘Cup and Saucer’ symbol. “We are out on the streets with our chosen candidate, and we intend to return only after securing victory,” he added, suggesting that purging loyal supporters could inadvertently hollow out the party’s local base.
Strategic Implications
This internal rift highlights the challenges facing the BNP hierarchy as it attempts to present a unified front in the lead-up to the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Elections. While the central leadership aims to suppress “rebel” candidacies to prevent vote fragmentation, the grassroots rebellion in Senbagh suggests that local loyalties may, in some instances, supersede party affiliation.