Dhaka: In a significant step toward opposition unity, BNP has reached an electoral understanding with seven allied parties from the anti-fascist movement, allocating eight parliamentary seats in the upcoming national election. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the list at a press conference at the Chairperson’s office this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the allotted seats and candidates are as follows: Bogura-2 for Mahmudur Rahman Manna, President of Nagorik Oikya; Pirojpur-1 for Mostafa Jamal Haider of Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar); Narail-2 for Fariduzzaman Farhad, Chairman of NPP; Jashore-5 for Mufti Rashid Bin Waqqas of Islami Oikya Jote; Patuakhali-3 for Nurul Haque Nur, President of Gono Odhikar Parishad; Jhenaidah-4 for Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad; Dhaka-12 for Saiful Huq, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh; and Brahmanbaria-6 for Zonayed Saki, Chief Coordinator of Gono Sanghati Andolon.
Mirza Fakhrul stated, “We are informing you of the seats where we have reached an understanding after long discussions with those who were involved in the simultaneous movement with us and agreed upon these decisions. Discussions will continue even after this list, and we will announce any further decisions.”
He also mentioned that Redwan Ahmed has been given the Cumilla-7 seat and NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj the Dhaka-13 seat. He added that Redwan joined today, and Bobby Hajjaj will join the BNP soon.
Regarding the electoral symbols, Mirza Fakhrul noted, “Those with whom we have an electoral understanding will contest using their respective symbols, and those who have joined the BNP will contest with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ (Dhaner Sheesh) symbol.”