Bangladesh National Party (BNP) is giving several provisional candidates for 300 seats for the upcoming national elections.
The strategy of giving more than one candidate for one seat is because there may be cases against some people while others may be loan defaulters. Thirdly, this is done to prevent anyone from becoming rebellious, say BNP policy makers.
However, in the end, BNP will get into a compromise with Oikya Front and give one candidate. BNP sources say that in the last few years, there have been several cases against party workers which are now being quashed one by one.
However, if someone does not get bail then the other person will run for election, sources add.
BNP standing committee member, Lt Col (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, told Bangla Tribune, “If, for some reason, a candidate is discarded by the Election Commission’s rigorous scrutiny then we may need an alternative person.”
Several BNP leaders are also accused of siphoning off large amounts of money from the country by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).
One leading BNP member, says, “ACC is probing money laundering charges against standing committee member, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, and therefore, nomination was taken by both him and his son, Khandaker Maruf Hossain.”
In case Dr Mosharraf Hossain is unable to take part in elections, his son will be BNP’s candidate, he added.
BNP vice chairman Barkatullah Bulu, says, “There may be risks in some seats due to cases against candidates and so, we have kept several options open.”
BNP gave initial nomination to two candidates from Barisal-6. One of them, Abul Hossain Khan, says, “I have solid relation with the grassroots; if given the final nomination and the election is free and fair then BNP will win here.”