The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has officially confirmed SM Jahangir Hossain as its candidate for the Dhaka-18 constituency, bypassing Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, whose name had been widely speculated as a likely choice. The announcement was made on Thursday during a press conference at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan, led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Snigdho, who formally joined the BNP on 4 November, had gained attention through active involvement in party activities and increasing engagement in constituency-level politics. His growing prominence had led many observers to anticipate his nomination, especially since Dhaka-18 had been excluded from the party’s initial list of candidates.
The BNP’s latest list, which introduced 36 additional candidates, confirmed the party’s total slate at 273 nominees, up from 237 candidates declared on 3 November. Snigdho’s omission from both lists marks a notable development in the party’s candidate selection process ahead of the upcoming elections.
Key Details – Dhaka-18 Candidate Selection
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Selected Candidate | SM Jahangir Hossain |
| Speculated Candidate | Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho |
| Announcement | Thursday, press conference at BNP chairperson’s office, Gulshan |
| Total BNP Candidates | 273 (after 36 new confirmations) |
| Previous Candidate Count | 237 (as of 3 November) |
| Snigdho’s Background | Former CEO of July Shaheed Memorial Foundation; twin brother of July uprising martyr Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho |
Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho’s exclusion has sparked discussion among party supporters and political commentators, given his active participation in party events and local-level political work. Despite not securing the nomination, his profile within the party remains notable due to his family’s historical contribution to Bangladesh’s political legacy and his professional experience.
The BNP’s decision signals a strategic approach to candidate placement across constituencies as the party finalises its preparations for the upcoming polls, with the selection process reflecting both political calculations and the need to balance experienced and emerging figures within the party.