In the race for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, internal tensions have surfaced within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the Madaripur-1 (Shibchar) constituency, as the party’s officially nominated candidate, Nadira Akhter, has formally requested disciplinary action against two so-called “rebel” candidates and five of their associates.
On 13 January, Nadira Akhter submitted a written complaint to Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Member Secretary of the BNP Central Election Steering Committee, alleging serious breaches of party discipline. In her letter, she accused the two dissident candidates of defying central party instructions by continuing their campaigns as independent contenders despite failing to secure official BNP nominations.
The two rebel candidates are Kamal Jaman Molla, a member of the Shibchar Upazila BNP, and Sajjad Hossain Siddiquee, Joint Convener of the Madaripur District BNP. According to Nadira, both men are actively canvassing voters while presenting themselves as BNP representatives, a move she says is creating confusion among voters and fuelling internal discord at a critical stage of the election.
Speaking to the media, Nadira Akhter said the refusal of the rebel candidates to withdraw their nomination papers had placed both voters and party workers in an awkward position. She added that such actions were undermining party unity and weakening the campaign of the officially nominated candidate. “As the party’s candidate, I feel deeply embarrassed by this situation. I have therefore informed the central committee in writing and hope that organisational action will be taken,” she said.
The controversy stems from BNP’s shifting nomination decisions in the constituency. Initially, the party awarded its ticket to Kamal Jaman Molla. However, following protests and dissatisfaction from supporters of Sajjad Hossain Siddiquee, the party suspended Kamal’s nomination and, in a second phase, nominated Nadira Akhter, a district BNP member and joint convener of the Shibchar Upazila unit.
Kamal Jaman Molla has strongly criticised the decision, claiming his nomination was revoked due to internal conspiracy. He argued that the party leadership ignored local popularity and imposed an “unacceptable” candidate on the people of Shibchar. “I am contesting the election at the demand of the people. There is no question of stepping back now,” he said.
Sajjad Hossain Siddiquee echoed a defiant tone, stating that if the central leadership intended to take action, it should first invite them for discussion. He added that the prospect of expulsion did not concern him.
Several local BNP leaders have openly sided with the rebel candidates. Their positions are outlined below:
| Name | Party Position | Role in Dispute |
|---|---|---|
| Kamal Jaman Molla | Shibchar Upazila BNP member | Independent candidate |
| Sajjad Hossain Siddiquee | District BNP Joint Convener | Independent candidate |
| Shajahan Molla | Shibchar Upazila BNP Joint Convener | Supporter of rebels |
| Azmal Hossain Khan | Shibchar Municipal BNP Member Secretary | Supporter |
| Mahabub Madbar | Shibchar Upazila BNP member | Supporter |
| Shamim Chowdhury | Shibchar Upazila BNP member | Supporter |
| Tuman Chowdhury | District Swechchhasebak Dal Joint General Secretary | Supporter |
Shajahan Molla, a veteran BNP leader, claimed the party had treated grassroots leaders unfairly and insulted the people of Shibchar. He said that in his 42 years of political life, he had never witnessed such a crisis.
As election campaigning intensifies, the unresolved internal conflict threatens to weaken BNP’s prospects in Madaripur-1, raising questions about party discipline, leadership decisions, and their potential impact on the final outcome.