BNP Announces Candidates for 10 Chattogram Seats; Six Constituencies Still Unsettled as Highway Blocked in Sitakunda

The BNP has unveiled its candidates for 10 out of 16 parliamentary constituencies in Chattogram ahead of the upcoming national election. The list features several new faces, while a few prominent party figures have been left out. Following the announcement, supporters of a dropped candidate took to the streets Monday evening, blocking the Dhaka–Chattogram highway in Sitakunda.

At a press conference at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir declared 237 candidates nationwide, including those for the Chattogram region.

According to the list, Nurul Amin (Chairman) will contest in Chattogram-1 (Mirsarai); Sarwar Alamgir in Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari); Kazi Salauddin in Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda); Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, assistant organizing secretary for the Chattogram division, in Chattogram-5 (Hathazari).Other nominees include Hummam Quader Chowdhury in Chattogram-7 (Rangunia), Ershad Ullah in Chattogram-8 (Boalkhali–Chandgaon), Ameer Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury in Chattogram-10 (Pahartali–Halishahar), Mohammad Enamul Haque in Chattogram-12 (Patiya), Sarwar Jamal Nizam in Chattogram-13 (Anwara), and Mishkatul Islam Chowdhury in Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali).

New Faces in the List

New candidates include Hummam Quader Chowdhury, son of executed war crimes convict Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury; Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, son of former minister Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin; Mishkatul Islam Chowdhury, son of ex-minister Zafrul Islam Chowdhury; and party leaders Nurul Amin and Sarwar Alamgir.

Six Constituencies Remain Undeclared

Party sources said six constituencies — Chattogram-3, 6, 9, 11, 14, and 15 — have been kept pending due to internal disputes or alliance considerations.

In Chattogram-6 (Raozan), conflicts between Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury and Golam Akbar Khondker have fueled violence, including multiple killings over the past year. BNP leaders fear that naming either could intensify the feud.

A similar situation exists in Chattogram-9 (Kotwali), where several heavyweight hopefuls — including Shahadat Hossain, Abul Hashem, Abu Sufian, and Shamsul Alam — are competing for nomination. The party initially named Abu Sufian but later suspended the announcement, citing internal review.

In Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish) and Chattogram-15 (Satkania–Lohagara), BNP has no strong local aspirants, keeping the seats open for allies such as LDP leader Oli Ahmed or his son. If talks progress, Jamaat-e-Islami may also receive one of the seats.

In Chattogram-11 (Port–Patenga), Israfil Khasru, son of Ameer Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, is among the potential contenders. Party insiders say discussions are ongoing about whether to field him or another candidate, possibly from the business community.

In Chattogram-3 (Sandwip), multiple contenders — Mostafa Kamal Pasha, Belayet Hossain, Mizanur Rahman, and Tariqul Alam — have been active, prompting the leadership to delay any final choice to avoid infighting.

According to Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, assistant organizing secretary of the BNP’s Chattogram division, “Where more than one strong contender exists, the party is taking time to decide to prevent internal conflict. Some seats are also being reserved for possible alliance partners.”

Sitakunda Highway Blockade

Tension rose in Sitakunda Monday evening after the party replaced Aslam Chowdhury, a central executive committee member, with Kazi Salauddin as its nominee for Chattogram-4.

Supporters of Aslam Chowdhury blocked the Dhaka–Chattogram highway around 7 p.m. near Batiary Shaheed Minar, burning tires and chanting slogans. Local sources reported that protesters also blocked multiple points along the highway.