In a dramatic shift within Bangladesh’s opposition landscape, Mahmudur Rahman Manna and his party, Nagorik Oikya, have formally severed their decade-long alliance with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The split, confirmed on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, followed a breakdown in seat-sharing negotiations and an alleged attempt by the BNP leadership to “buy off” Manna with the promise of a future ministerial portfolio in exchange for his withdrawal from the race.
Nagorik Oikya will now contest 11 constituencies independently under their distinct ‘Kettle’ symbol, spearheaded by Manna, who has filed nominations for the high-stakes seats of Dhaka-18 and Bogra-2.
Table of Contents
The “Ministry for Withdrawal” Scandal
The most explosive detail of the divorce emerged from Manna’s recent hospitalisation for a heart procedure. While recovering from an angiogram, Manna claims he was approached by an intermediary suggesting that the BNP leadership wished for him to step down due to his health. In return, he was allegedly promised a cabinet position should the BNP ascend to power.
“I was told that the BNP Chairman would make me a minister, so there was no need to remain an MP,” Manna revealed. “I rejected it outright. Giving up one’s candidacy for the promise of a ministry is like accepting charity or alms. I am here to practice politics, not to accept a handout.”
Nagorik Oikya’s Independent Election Strategy
| Candidate | Constituency | Status |
| Mahmudur Rahman Manna | Dhaka-18 & Bogra-2 | Running Solo (Kettle Symbol) |
| Mofakharul Islam | Rangpur-5 | Presidium Member |
| Nazmus Sakib Anwar | Sirajganj-1 | Joint General Secretary |
| Md. Kabir Hasan | Jamalpur-4 | Joint General Secretary |
| Major (Retd) Abdus Salam | Kurigram-2 | Central Committee |
| Shahnaz Ranu | Pabna-4 | Finance Secretary |
A Twelve-Year Partnership Dissolves
The divorce marks the end of a relationship that began in 2013. Manna’s party was a core component of the Jatiya Oikyafront in 2018 and the more recent Ganatantra Mancha. However, the “friendship” soured when the BNP failed to honour seat-sharing agreements, fielding their own candidates in the very seats they had initially promised to Manna.
In Bogra-2, despite public assurances of support for Manna, the BNP awarded the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol to local leader Shahe Alam. A similar scenario unfolded in Dhaka-18, where the BNP nominated SM Jahangir Hossain. “They spoke of loan defaults and other technicalities, but it was clear they were moving to marginalise us,” Manna remarked.
“Politics Before Portfolios”
Despite the recent health scare, Manna appeared at an election rally in Uttara on Tuesday night, affirming his commitment to the democratic process. He told supporters that “politics is synonymous with elections” in the current climate and vowed to fight on the ground rather than wait for a titular appointment.
The BNP leadership, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, has remained notably silent on the split, refusing to comment on the alleged ministerial offer. With Nagorik Oikya joining A.S.M. Abdur Rob’s JSD in exiting the alliance, the BNP now faces a fragmented opposition front as the national referendum and general elections draw near.