Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has told nomination hopefuls from Sylhet Division that the party will shortly settle on a single candidate for each of the region’s 19 constituencies—warning that any disorder or internal feuding during campaigning will draw the party’s toughest penalties. 

At a meeting on Sunday night (October 19) at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, Mirza Fakhrul urged aspirants to return to their constituencies, strengthen local party structures and actively campaign for the party’s “paddy sheaf” election symbol. 

He directed leaders to avoid factional disputes and maintain discipline while organising. 

He stressed that only one contender will be endorsed per seat and that all others must rally behind the nominee. Any breach of party discipline, he cautioned, would invite maximum sanctions. 

According to participants, 129 nomination seekers from Sylhet Division’s four districts attended the Gulshan talks—some formally invited and others later seen separately by the secretary general. 

BNP leaders said final nominations will favour “sacrificing, competent and popular” figures under the guidance of Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. 

They added that once a nominee is announced, the remaining aspirants will be expected to work for that candidate’s victory. The session reviewed each seat’s organisational footing, public profile, voter outreach and campaign strategy, said Sylhet district BNP president Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, with Advocate Emran Ahmad Chowdhury serving as the district general secretary. 

Party sources said BNP is using a data-driven vetting system this cycle, compiling each aspirant’s personal and political background into a digital database. An automated ranking—based on five eligibility and five disqualification criteria—is being sent to the nomination committee, which will deviate from the list only for exceptional reasons. 

Factors considered include a candidate’s past political work, public engagement, presence on social media, organisational capability, family and political legacy, and record of sacrifice for the party. 

Leaders on the party’s election steering committee said only one candidate will be finalised per seat, with two alternates kept in reserve in case of contingencies. Those not selected may be tasked to prepare for upcoming local government races. 

Among those who travelled to Dhaka for the meeting were BNP chairperson’s adviser Ariful Haque Choudhury; Dr Enamul Haque Chowdhury; M A Malik; Tahsina Rushdir Luna; International Affairs Secretary Barrister M A Salam; Assistant Organising Secretary Miftah Siddiqui; central committee member Abul Kaher Shamim; district BNP adviser Ashiq Uddin Chowdhury; Sylhet district president Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury; general secretary Advocate Emran Ahmad Chowdhury; former assistant volunteer affairs secretary Advocate Shamsuzzaman Zaman; senior vice-president Mamunur Rashid Mamun; former vice-president Abdul Hakim; district leader Faisal Ahmed Chowdhury; Sabina Khan, daughter of the late UK BNP president Kamar Uddin; and Syeda Adiba Hossain, daughter of the late former MP Dr Syed Maqbul Hossain “Lechu Mia.” 

BNP central assistant organising secretary Miftah Siddiqui said the guidance was firm: preserve unity among Sylhet leaders, enforce discipline at the grassroots and, once nominations are declared, work collectively for the “paddy sheaf.” 

BNP joint secretary general Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie is also expected to be active in related party outreach. 

SMS/