Internal fractures within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) erupted into violence in the Jhenaidah-4 constituency on Thursday, 22 January 2026. Supporters of an expelled “rebel” candidate were allegedly ambushed by loyalists of the party’s official nominee, leaving at least two people critically injured and highlighting the deepening crisis of organisational discipline ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Table of Contents
The Ambush at Ramchandrapur
The clash occurred at approximately 2:30 pm at Ramchandrapur Bazar in Kaliganj Upazila. According to witnesses, a group of activists supporting independent candidate Saiful Islam Firoz were en route to his inaugural election rally at the Bhushan School grounds when they were intercepted and attacked with blunt weapons.
The victims have been identified as Anwar Hossain Kalu, whose both hands and left leg were reportedly shattered in the assault, and Shahidul Islam. Both men are receiving emergency care at a local medical facility. Firoz, a former senior leader of the Central Sechchhasebak Dal, blamed the official BNP nominee, Rashed Khan, for orchestrating the violence to intimidate his supporters.
Conflict Profile: Jhenaidah-4 (Kaliganj-Sadar)
| Category | Official BNP Candidate | Rebel Independent |
| Candidate Name | Rashed Khan | Saiful Islam Firoz |
| Coalition Background | Former Gono Odhikar Parishad | Central Sechchhasebak Dal |
| Electoral Symbol | Sheaf of Paddy (Dhanner Sheesh) | Cup and Plate |
| Status in BNP | Formally Endorsed by High Command | Expelled for Anti-Party Activity |
| Local Standing | Seen as an “Outsider” by some | Long-standing Grassroots Base |
A House Divided: The Roots of Rebellion
The violence is a direct consequence of a contentious nomination process. The BNP leadership’s decision to award the ticket to Rashed Khan—who recently joined the party from the Gono Odhikar Parishad—was met with fierce resistance from local stalwarts. Saiful Islam Firoz, a veteran of the party’s volunteer wing, defied the central directive to withdraw, choosing instead to run as an independent.
In a move to restore order, the BNP high command expelled Firoz from his posts as a member of the Jhenaidah District BNP and Senior Joint General Secretary of the Sechchhasebak Dal. However, the expulsion has done little to dampen his local support, turning the Jhenaidah-4 race into a three-way battle between the BNP, the rebel faction, and other alliance partners.
Official Denial and Security Vigil
In response to the allegations, Rashed Khan maintained his innocence. “I am unaware of any such incident at Ramchandrapur,” he told reporters. “I will investigate whether any of my supporters were involved, but we are committed to a peaceful campaign.”
Jellal Hossain, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kaliganj Police Station, confirmed that police reinforcements were dispatched to the site to prevent further escalation. While no arrests have been made, he stated that legal proceedings would commence once a formal First Information Report (FIR) is lodged.
As the 12 February polling day nears, Jhenaidah-4 remains a high-risk zone. The conflict serves as a stark reminder that the BNP’s greatest challenge in 2026 may not be its traditional rivals, but the internal dissent brewing within its own ranks.