In a bold strategic move ahead of Bangladesh's 13th National Parliament election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been slated to contest from three key constituencies, underscoring the party's determination to reclaim influence in a fiercely contested political landscape.
Sources close to the BNP indicate that the veteran leader, who has long been a towering figure in Bangladeshi opposition politics, will throw her hat into the ring in Feni-1, Bogura-7, and Dinajpur-3.
This multi-seat candidacy is seen as a calculated effort to bolster the party's presence in regions where it has historically drawn strong support, amid ongoing tensions with the ruling Awami League.
Adding to the intrigue, BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman, the son of Khaleda Zia, is set to make his electoral debut.
The London-based exile-turned-political heir apparent will stand in Bogra-6, a constituency with deep familial ties to the BNP leadership. Rahman, who has faced legal battles and exile since 2008, returns to the fray at a time when the party seeks to rally its base against what it terms an "authoritarian regime."
The candidate slate was unveiled on Monday evening by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir during a press conference at the party chief's Gulshan office, the political nerve centre of the chairperson's office.
Fakhrul presented a provisional list comprising 237 aspirants, emphasising that adjustments could yet be made as alliances and internal deliberations evolve.
"This is our roadmap to restoring democracy," Fakhrul declared, flanked by BNP Standing Committee members and co-organising secretaries. The gathering exuded a palpable sense of resolve, with party stalwarts underscoring the need for unity in the face of electoral headwinds.
The announcement comes against a backdrop of heightened political volatility in Bangladesh, following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024 and the installation of an interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus. With polls tentatively slated for early 2026, the BNP's gambit—pitting its iconic leader across multiple battlegrounds—signals an aggressive bid to capitalise on anti-incumbency sentiments and youth-driven reform calls.
Critics within the ruling fold have already decried the multi-constituency play as a "desperate ploy," while BNP supporters hail it as a testament to Khaleda Zia's enduring appeal. As the dust settles on this initial roster, all eyes will be on how the party navigates coalition talks and potential boycotts in what promises to be one of the most pivotal votes in the nation's recent history.