Political speculations are intensifying in Jhenaidah as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has so far announced its candidate for only one of the district’s four parliamentary constituencies, leaving nominations for the remaining three seats pending.

On 3 November, the BNP released a list of prospective candidates for 237 constituencies ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election. However, nominations for 63 constituencies — including three in Jhenaidah — remain undecided. BNP leader Md Mehedi Hasan has been confirmed as the party’s candidate for the Jhenaidah-3 constituency, while the selection process for the other three seats continues.

According to party sources, the central committee is conducting a detailed evaluation before finalising the remaining nominations. In the meantime, potential candidates from both the BNP and its alliance partners have been holding frequent rallies and showdowns to demonstrate their political strength, often engaging in verbal exchanges and counter-statements.

Among the four constituencies, Jhenaidah-2 has drawn the most attention. District BNP President Advocate MA Majid is widely considered the leading contender for the seat. However, reports suggest that Rashed Khan, general secretary of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, may receive the nomination from the BNP-led alliance.

This possibility has reportedly caused discontent among local BNP leaders and activists, many of whom are unwilling to accept a nominee from an alliance partner. Local BNP members have expressed strong reactions, and speculation has emerged that MA Majid might instead be nominated for the Jhenaidah-4 constituency, leaving Jhenaidah-2 for the alliance.

The situation has created visible unrest in the district’s political landscape. In Harinakundu, the office and billboard of the Gono Odhikar Parishad were reportedly vandalised amid escalating tension.

While the alliance grapples with internal disputes, independent candidate Nasser Shahriar Zahedi Mahul — a prominent social worker, industrialist, and vice-president of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) — has emerged as a notable figure in local political discussions.

In the 2022 municipal elections, Mahul’s brother, Naser Shahriar Hijal, was elected as an independent candidate. Notably, in the previous parliamentary election, Mahul defeated the Awami League candidate as an independent contender, further boosting his reputation and political influence in Jhenaidah.