BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has advised party leaders vying for nominations to the women’s reserved seats in parliament to respect the final decisions made by the party. He emphasized the importance of maintaining order and cautioned against actions that could tarnish the reputation of both the BNP and the government.
Discussions on this matter took place during the interviews conducted by the BNP at the chairman’s office in Gulshan yesterday, with the presence of members of the party’s standing committee. Aspirants were questioned about their political background, organizational experience, and their potential to represent women in parliament.
Senior BNP officials mentioned that the party aims to strike a balance by recognizing the contributions of long-serving women leaders while also considering younger candidates who can bring fresh perspectives and vigor to politics.
Prior to the interviews, aspirants and their supporters gathered outside the office, exchanging updates, engaging in informal lobbying with party insiders, and speculating on the potential nominees. The initial interviews included aspirants from several divisions, with over 400 participants.
A member of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal from Ranisankail upazila in Thakurgaon shared that Tarique Rahman and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir conducted the interviews without fixed time limits for each aspirant. Anonymously, she disclosed being questioned about her future plans if not selected and her commitment to the party.
Numerous leaders expressed their dedication over the past 17 years and expressed hope for a fair evaluation of their contributions by the party. They pledged to respect the final decisions made by the BNP.
Party insiders revealed that aspirants were quizzed by the BNP parliamentary board, which included standing committee members, on various aspects such as their motivations for seeking nominations, past contributions to the party and constituencies, and involvement in movements. The candidates were also evaluated on their potential priorities if elected, prior experiences as public representatives, support for the party’s nominee, and reactions if denied nominations.
Speaking to the media, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi highlighted that the party will prioritize the contributions of women leaders, particularly their roles during the political struggles of the past 15–16 years. He emphasized considering factors like educational background, parliamentary speaking skills, and legal knowledge during the selection process.
The interviews were overseen by Tarique Rahman, along with standing committee members and other party officials. The nomination process saw approximately 1,300 forms sold within three days, with nearly 900 submissions already received. Aspirants from additional divisions are scheduled for interviews today.
The Election Commission stated that there are 50 reserved women’s seats in parliament, with projections indicating the BNP-led alliance securing 36 seats, the Jamaat-led alliance 13 seats, and one seat for independents. The deadline for nomination submissions is April 21, followed by scrutiny on April 22–23, and voting scheduled for May 12.
