Protests demanding BNP candidate change in Rajshahi-5

PNN News Desk | Rajshahi

A section of local BNP leaders held a press conference demanding the cancellation of Nazrul Islam Mondal’s nomination as the BNP candidate for Rajshahi-5 (Puthia-Durgapur). They claimed that Nazrul Islam is “disconnected from the people” and lacks grassroots support.

The press conference was held on Sunday afternoon at Durgapur Press Club. Attending were BNP National Executive Committee member Abu Bakar Siddique, former Upazila vice president Ishfaq Khairul Haque, and supporters of the late leader Nadim Mostofa’s son Zulfan Naeem Mostofa.

Over a hundred leaders and activists protested inside and outside the press club, urging the party to nominate a popular, dedicated, and tested grassroots leader.

In a written statement, district volunteer joint convener Harunur Rashid said, “In 1996, Nadim Mostofa won this seat, making it a stronghold for BNP. However, Nazrul Islam once defied the party and ran as an independent, losing his deposit. Candidates should be chosen from those who have sacrificed for the party, like Abu Bakar Siddique, Ishfaq Khairul Haque, or Zulfan Naeem.”

Nazrul Islam Mondal denied the allegations, stating, “I am contesting according to party decisions. Even if I ran independently in the past, I later contested multiple times as a party candidate. I am with the people, and the party trusts me. Some emotional reactions from locals may exist, but it will pass with time.”

Political analysts say that prolonged disputes within the grassroots could make it difficult for BNP to retain this seat, and the final outcome depends on central leadership decisions.