BNP has managed to allocate seats among its allies without major incident. However, officials of several survey agencies say that despite general success, BNP’s nomination board failed to select eligible candidates in at least 15 seats.
Five members of the nomination board have been accused of nepotism. Mostly reformist leaders were elected sidelining the central figures who are believed to have become ill after being discarded.
A keen observer of the seat allocation has said, “The selection board has made blunders in 35 seats.”
This has resulted in resentment among the grass roots and on Sunday, there was agitation at BNP’s Gulshan office.
In Sherpur, Hazrat Ali’s nomination was cancelled due to loan default but his nomination went to his daughter Sunlisa Jebrin, a 25 year old.
She got the nomination leaving many other senior leaders behind.
The same happened for Mymensingh-4 where A Z A Zahid Hossain’s nomination was cancelled while his acolyte Abu Waham Akhanda got the party ticket.
In Borguna-2, Khondokar Mahbub Hossain, was given the approval leaving out Nurul Islam Moni. In Mymensign-7, Upzila Chairman Zainal Abedin was given party symbol instead of Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Liton.
In Sylhet, reformist leader Kalim Uddin Ahmed Milon was deprived and nomination was given to Nazir Hossain. It’s believed, in shock, Milon has been admitted to hospital.
Sylhet division BNP president alleges that the five member syndicate was involved in nomination trade for 50 seats.
In Narayanganj, important leader, Taimur Alam Khandokar, did not get nomination but he told Bangla Tribune: “I will speak after 30 December; however, I want BNP to win.”
One Sylhet BNP leader alleges that Enam Ahmed Chowdhury was removed from Sylhet city and the seat was given to Abdul Muktadir Chowdhury. Reportedly, the nomination for Sylhet-6 was controlled directly from London.
In Mymensingh – 1, Ali Asgar got nomination in place for Emran Saleh Prince.

A survey reveals that in 60 to 70 seats, new candidates were nominated. BNP Standing Committee member, Dr. Khondokar Mosharraf Hossain, told Bangla Tribune: “To please many of our allies in 20 party and Jatiya Oikya Front, we could not meet the nomination expectation of many.”
On the other hand, Jatiya Oikya Front is happy to have received more seats than expected. Jamaat Naebe Amir, Professor Mia Golam Parwar, told Bangla Tribune, “We were given three seats less than expected and had to be satisfied with 22.”
Joint General Secretary of Khelafat Majlish, Mohammad Muntasir Ali, said, “Those who came from London are given nomination” and lamented: “Our 20 year service is not valued.”
It’s believed that several BNP leaders failed to carry out effective negotiation. In Kushtia-2, JP’s Ahsan Habib Lincoln was given nomination though reportedly, Principal Shahidul Islam was more eligible.
In Kishoreganj-3 JSD’s Saiful Islam was given nomination without any specific reason though in that area, BNP’s Jalal Muhammad Gaus is a popular leader.
In Pirojpur, local leader Mamun Hassan was removed and new member Golam Mowla Rony was given the nod; however, it’s believed Mamun stepped down on his own volition.
Many have stated that giving four seats to Nagorik Oikta, two to Krishak Sramik Janata League, and four to JSD were too many.
BNP media wing member Shairul Kabir Khan said: “BNP had to select candidates in tough conditions and through intense negotiation with allies.”
Those who got nomination to compete under sheaf of paddy will have to face an uphill battle, he added.