BNP steps aside in seven more constituencies for allies

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will not field candidates in seven parliamentary seats as part of a seat-sharing arrangement with its allies. The decision was announced on Wednesday (24 December) at a press conference held at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Mostafa Jamal Haider of the Jatiya Party (JP) will contest from Pirojpur-1, Advocate Fariduzzaman Farhad of the National People’s Party from Narail-2, Mufti Rashid of the Jukto Front from Jessore-5, Rashed Khan of the Ganadhikar Parishad from Jhenaidah-4, Saiful Haque of the Revolutionary Workers’ Party from Dhaka-12, Nurul Haque Nur of the Gana Odhikar Parishad from Patuakhali-3, and Zonayed Saki of the Gano Sanghati Andolon from Brahmanbaria-6.

Mirza Fakhrul said the seat adjustments were made based on political unity and mutual trust among the parties participating in the joint movement. He added that the decision aims to further strengthen the movement to restore democracy.

The press conference was also attended by BNP National Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Dr Redwan Ahmed, who recently joined the party.

Earlier on Tuesday, BNP reached an electoral understanding with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh (JUI), agreeing not to field candidates in four constituencies.