‘BNP alliance candidates face challenges in 79 constituencies from rebels’

Dhaka-7 constituency consists of Lalbagh, Chawkbazar, Bangshal and parts of Kotwali and Kamrangirchar where 11 candidates seek votes from 4.79 lakh voters in a bid to win.
Hamidur Rahman Hamid is vying in the race with the BNP’s “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol, but former Jubo Dal organising secretary Ishak Sarkar is competing with the “Football” symbol as an independent candidate.
Some voters of Kamrangirchar, Chawkbazar and Lalbagh told the Daily Sun that the main competition is anticipated between BNP candidate Hamid and Jamaat-nominated Enayet Ullah. But Ishak Sarkar will draw many votes mainly from the BNP vote bank, which will affect the “Sheaf of Paddy.”
Like Ishak, around 90 other rebel candidates are mounting challenges to the candidates nominated by the BNP-led alliance, according to some BNP leaders who asked not to be named.
After analysing information on the Election Commission website, it was found that a total of 190 BNP men submitted their nominations for 117 constituencies despite the party’s decision.
The party expelled a large number of the rebels and consequently many withdrew their nominations, while 92 did not withdraw their candidacies and are in the electoral race in 79 constituencies.
Among the constituencies where the BNP and its alliance candidates are facing challenges from rebel candidates are Narayanganj-2, 3 and 4, Bagerhat-1, 2 and 3, Dhaka-14, Cumilla-2, Dinajpur-2 and 5, Pabna-3, Sylhet-5, Brahmanbaria-5, Habiganj-1, Kishoreganj-1, Tangail-3 and 5, Sunamganj-3, Panchagarh-2, Gopalganj-2, Barishal-1, Narail-1, Jhenaidah-4, Naogaon-1, 3 and 6, Khagrachhari, Satkhira-3, Chattogram-16, Rangpur-3, Munshiganj-1, Rajbari-2, Manikganj-1, Jashore-5, Noakhali-2, Chandpur-4, Madaripur-1, Mymensingh-1, 2, 6, 7 and 9 and Patuakhali-3.
Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the BNP’s Central Election Steering Committee and also adviser to the party’s chairman, said that they believe that their coordinated effort will make the BNP and its alliance candidates victorious in the 12 February election.
When contacted, Hamid also told the Daily Sun that he believes that the rebel candidate cannot affect him in his path to victory.
Dhaka-12 comprising Tejgaon, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Hatirjheel and some parts has over 3.33 lakh voters, where BNP-nominated Biplobi Workers Party candidate Saiful Huq is vying with the “Spade” symbol while former convener of Dhaka Metropolitan North Unit of BNP Saiful Alam Nirob is competing with the “Football” symbol as an independent candidate.
Tanvir Ahmed, a voter of the constituency, told the Daily Sun that Nirob is a known face to the voters of the area as he contested as the BNP candidate in the area earlier. Besides, he was first nominated from the BNP and as such he, along with the BNP and its affiliated bodies’ activists, carried out extensive campaigns there.
Tanvir said that on the other hand, most of the BNP men are working for Saiful Huq but he is not as familiar among voters as Nirob. In addition, his symbol “Spade” is also not well-known.
Ali Hossain, a resident of Kawran Bazar area, told the Daily Sun that the rebel candidate has become a serious challenge to the BNP-nominated one.
Meanwhile, the supporters of BNP-alliance candidates and the rebel candidates have been involved in clashes in different areas, according to the Human Rights Support Society and mass media reports.
At least 10 people were injured in a clash between supporters of the BNP-led alliance candidate Nurul Haque Nur, also president of a Gono Odhikar Parishad faction, and independent candidate and BNP-expelled executive committee member Hasan Mamun in Patuakhali-3 constituency on Saturday night.
However, the BNP nominated candidate Junaid Al Habib of Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh in Brahmanbaria-2 constituency with his symbol “Date Palm.” Meanwhile, in the area, BNP leaders Rumeen Farhana and SN Tarun Dey, who were expelled, are vying as independent candidates.
According to some voters, Rumeen Farhana is stronger than Tarun as the rebel candidate.
They anticipate that both the rebel candidates will bag huge votes from the BNP vote bank out of total 499,448 votes, which may favour the 11-party alliance and National Citizen Party candidate Ashraf Uddin.