Bangladesh News

In the wake of severe criticism of the nomination decisions, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is now making some changes to the party ticket for the December 29 general election.

A revised list of candidates was already handed to the election officials yesterday while another might be sent today, said BNP sources.

Late at night, Khaleda Zia met some standing committee members including just released Moudud Ahmed to review the nominations.

Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain and Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan were also present in the discussions at the former prime minister’s Gulshan office.

Nothing could be known about the meeting outcome immediately.

Meanwhile, supporters of those denied nominations were continuing demonstrations in front of the office.

Some of them were on a hunger strike demanding changes to the party’s panel of candidates.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday afternoon, Nazrul Islam Khan said, “We are still examining the list which will hopefully be settled tonight.”

Asked about controversial candidates, he said they kept the names as ‘alternatives’ and those are not final.

A number of BNP leaders alleged that vested interests and some close aides to the party chief had played a key role in selection of individuals with dubious records.

Even findings of the countrywide surveys conducted by professional researchers and the party’s organisational teams have been ignored in choosing candidates.

“The chairperson is working on the matter after being briefed on reactions of the rank and file,” one of her aides told The Daily Star yesterday. “And you’ll see some positive changes by tomorrow [Wednesday].”

BNP carried out the surveys to find out competent contestants for the upcoming polls. Party leaders on several occasions said the nominations would be given in line with the survey recommendations.

Many who aspired to be BNP candidates alleged that a coterie of senior leaders was involved in ‘nomination trade’, and that answers why so many dodgy characters are on the party ticket.

Of the questionable nominations, those of Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan (Laxmipur-2), Khandaker Abdul Hamid Dablu (Dhaka-19) and Anwar Hossain Bulu (Naogaon-6) have angered the partymen most.

Kabir is brother of Amin Ahmed Bhuiyan, who filed a case against Khaleda Zia’s elder son Tarique Rahman following imposition of the state of emergency.

Dablu, son of BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, was allegedly involved in criminal activities during the four-party alliance rule.

Bulu is the brother of former state minister Alamgir Kabir who is accused of patronising Islamist militants in Rajshahi region.

On the other hand, many of those who worked hard for the organisation during its rough patch in the last two years were denied nominations, causing resentment among the ranks.

“My nomination has been sold to a businessman,” a former student leader, who sought nomination for Tangail-4, told The Daily Star.

Businessman Lutfor Rahman Matin has been chosen for the seat.

Chowdhury Motahar Hossain, who vied to run for Naogaon-6 on BNP ticket, yesterday said, “My nomination has been sold to Alamgir Kabir’s brother, though madam had promised me the party nod.”

A group led by Khandaker Delwar had all along been pressing Khaleda Zia to leave the pro-reform leaders off the nominee list and include controversial former lawmakers like Mirza Abbas, Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, Abdus Salam Pintu, Salauddin Ahmed and their relatives.

Delwar walked out of the parliamentary board meeting on Thursday night following a difference of opinion with the chairperson over picking some ‘reformist’ leaders as candidates.

Though Khaleda sent some leaders to Delwar’s house to bring him back, he did not return that night.

Hundreds of workers and leaders who were in front of the chairperson’s Gulshan office Thursday and Friday night expressed annoyance when they heard names of controversial persons as candidates.