Tarique warns BNP aspirants of stern action against disunity

Bangla Press Desk:   BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday issued a stern warning to party nomination aspirants, saying strict organisational action will be taken against anyone found sowing disunity ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election, expected to be held in February next year.

Addressing nomination seekers virtually from London, Tarique urged party leaders to fully accept the decisions of the BNP’s nomination board and work collectively for the officially endorsed candidates.

He cautioned that any breach of unity would invite “tough measures” from the party high command.

According to meeting sources, the BNP acting chairman delivered the directives during a meeting with nomination aspirants and district-level leaders at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office in Dhaka – the second day of his series of consultations with potential candidates.

The session began at 4pm with aspirants from Barishal and Khulna divisions, followed by those from Sylhet at 6pm, and finally Dhaka division at 8:15pm.

Speaking to the Daily Sun, a nomination seeker from Patuakhali district, requesting anonymity, said, “Tarique Rahman instructed us to work unitedly for the

candidates who will be nominated by the party’s board. He made it clear that no internal rivalry will be tolerated.”

Another aspirant from Dhaka district said, “He warned that everyone must stay united and work together. Any act of defiance or indiscipline will be met with firm organisational action.”

Meeting sources said Tarique Rahman reminded the participants that internal rifts only strengthen opponents.

“If you engage in blame games or infighting, it will only give your rivals a chance to hurt the party,” he reportedly cautioned.

He also informed the leaders that although only one candidate will ultimately be nominated for each seat, those not selected will be “rewarded in various ways” for their loyalty and contributions. A senior BNP leader told the Daily Sun that the party aims to finalise a list of 200 to 250 potential candidates this week, with an official announcement expected soon after.

Seven aspirants from five divisions confirmed that Tarique had urged them to remain vigilant and united amid what he termed a “conspiratorial situation” before the polls. He instructed all leaders to dedicate themselves to ensuring victory for the “Paddy Sheaf” – BNP’s electoral symbol.

The meeting was moderated by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and attended by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Major General (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

On Sunday, Tarique Rahman held similar meetings with nomination aspirants from Chattogram, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Faridpur, and Cumilla divisions at the same venue.

He told them that once a candidate is finalised, all local leaders must extend unconditional support and avoid any showdowns or internal clashes. The BNP Standing Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday night to discuss the preliminary shortlist of more than 200 nomination seekers for the 13th parliamentary election. Tarique Rahman will preside over the session to finalise the first phase of candidate selection.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed on Monday that the party is shortlisting multiple candidates per constituency as part of its election strategy.

BP/SP