BNP grassroots fear central directives may be ignored in local elections

The government is preparing to begin local government elections towards the end of this year.

The BNP’s grassroots leaders and activists fear that central directives on selecting candidates for upcoming local government elections may be ignored due to deepening internal conflicts.

The government is preparing to begin local government elections towards the end of this year.

Grassroots leaders are concerned that influential local leaders and MPs may try to secure party backing for their preferred candidates, despite directives to nominate competent, honest, dedicated and broadly acceptable individuals.

They also fear that personal influence, factional politics and financial transactions could influence the selection process as local leaders seek to strengthen their political networks.

Several insiders said long-serving and dedicated activists could be deprived of nominations if personal preferences and political influence dominate the process.

Without strict central oversight, they warned, internal disputes could intensify and weaken the party’s organisational strength and electoral prospects.

A prospective union parishad chairman candidate from a Rajbari upazila said MPs could favour their preferred candidates to strengthen their own political position rather than support the most competent and acceptable contenders.

BNP Organising Secretary Syed Shahin Showkat told TBS, “In the past, some people tried to use personal or political influence in candidate selection. There is no scope for that this time.”

He said current candidate-selection guidelines were different and the central leadership would take a hard line if they were violated.

“The issue will be monitored continuously from the centre. Information from the field and intelligence reports will also be considered,” he added.

Although the election schedule has not been announced, BNP has already begun preparations. Party Chairman TariqueRahman has held meetings with grassroots leaders in different regions.

On 29 August, he met presidents and general secretaries of districts, thanas and city corporations in Bogura, along with local MPs. Earlier, he met leaders from Pabna and Chapainawabganj on 20 August, Rajshahi division on 13 August and Rangpur division on 20 July.

At these meetings, he reportedly instructed them to finalise a single candidate through consensus in each locality to prevent rebel candidates.

At an organisational meeting in Chattogram, he said dedicated and competent leaders would be selected for local government elections. 

The local government elections will cover 13 city corporations, 330 municipalities, 500 upazilas and around 4,500 union parishads.

Union parishad elections are expected to be held first. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said the commission plans to announce the union parishad election schedule this month, as the terms of most union parishads will expire this year.

Meanwhile, competition for party backing has already intensified. Rivalry between potential candidates and their supporters has led to clashes in several areas.

At least 80 people were injured in clashes between rival BNP factions during programmes marking the party’s 48th founding anniversary. 

Ain o Salish Kendra data show that 933 people were injured and 20 killed in 105 incidents of BNP internal conflict during the first six months of this year.

Multiple aspirants

Multiple potential candidates are already campaigning for the same posts in different areas. In some places, 10 to 12 aspirants are seeking party backing and contacting grassroots activists.

BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker MosharrafHossain, however, said the large number of potential candidates would not create difficulties in the selection process.

In Thakurgaon’s Pirganj, at least five BNP leaders are active as potential mayoral candidates. In Cumilla’s Debidwarmunicipality, several BNP leaders are also preparing to contest, while Jamaat-e-Islami has a single candidate, its secretary Saiful Islam Shahid.

The growing competition is likely to make consensus-building and disciplined candidate selection crucial for BNP as it enters the local election race.