Two BNP Rebel Candidates, Jamaat Withdraws From One Seat

In the upcoming parliamentary elections in Sunamganj, two disgruntled leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), denied party nominations, are contesting as independent “rebel” candidates, resulting in their expulsion from the party. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, which initially fielded candidates in all five Sunamganj constituencies, has withdrawn its candidate from one seat, altering the political dynamics in the district.

A total of 39 nomination papers were submitted across the five Sunamganj constituencies. Following scrutiny and withdrawals, the final list consists of 23 candidates: 19 representing ten political parties and four independents. Among these independents, two are BNP rebels challenging the official party nominees.

Sunamganj–3 (Jagannathpur and Shantiganj):
Seven candidates are contesting this seat. BNP’s official candidate is Mohammad Koyeshar Ahmad, a member of the party’s central executive committee and former General Secretary of BNP UK. The rebel candidate, Md. Anwar Hossain, a former vice-president of the district BNP and current member of the party’s convening committee, was expelled on Wednesday. Initially, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Yasin Khan had filed nomination papers but later withdrew, citing requests from alliance partners to keep the seat free of Jamaat candidates.

Other candidates include three alliance members: Shaheenur Pasha Chowdhury and Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Syed Talha Alam of Amar Bangladesh Party. Yasin Khan told Prothom Alo, “Allied party candidates requested that no Jamaat candidate contest here, so I withdrew. We are not endorsing anyone.”

Rebel candidate Anwar Hossain said, “The party’s nomination process ignored local leaders’ expectations, so I am contesting independently. Wherever I go, I receive overwhelming public support.” Two other independents in this seat are Mahfuzur Rahman Khaled and Hussain Ahmed.

Sunamganj–4 (Sadar and Bishwambharpur):
Five candidates are in the fray. BNP’s candidate is Nurul Islam, former secretary of the district BNP committee and current convening committee member. Dewan Zainul Zakirine, a former senior vice-president of the district committee, is contesting independently after being denied a party nomination and expelled.

Zakirine said, “I have been with BNP since its inception, serving in local government multiple times. Even though I was denied a nomination, I am contesting with the full support of my colleagues and constituents.” Other candidates include Jamaat-e-Islami’s Md. Shams Uddin, Jatiya Party’s Nazmul Huda, and Shahidul Islam of Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

The electoral scenario in Sunamganj has become intensely competitive, with rebel BNP candidates and partial withdrawal of Jamaat candidates reshaping the contest. Observers suggest that voter sentiment in these constituencies could be significantly influenced by these developments.