BNP yet to finalise poll candidates: Rizvi

Staff Reporter :

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday clarified that the party has not yet finalized any candidate for the upcoming national polls, as the official nomination will be determined by its Parliamentary Board.

“No individual in any constituency has received approval or clearance so far. Only those who have proven dedication and contribution to party activities will be considered. BNP always follows a transparent, constitutional process for candidate selection-not any informal hints,” he said.

Addressing an emergency press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi dismissed recent media reports claiming that certain individuals have already been chosen as nominees, terming them “false and misleading.”

He emphasized that the authority to finalize nominations rests entirely with the Parliamentary Board, headed by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. The board, comprising members of the party’s standing committee, will announce its decisions after the election schedule is declared.
Rizvi urged grassroots leaders and activists not to pay heed to speculative news. “We call upon everyone to stay united and wait for the official declaration from the top leadership,” he said.

According to Rizvi, Tarique Rahman has been consistently instructing leaders to strengthen party unity and avoid giving the impression that anyone has been singled out for nomination.
“He is regularly holding virtual discussions with leaders and giving clear directions: work together, support whoever the party nominates, and refrain from premature claims. Those seeking candidacy must also adhere to this guideline,” Rizvi stated.

He reaffirmed that no list of nominees has been prepared yet, despite rumors circulated in newspapers and online. Rizvi said Tarique Rahman continues to stress the importance of staying close to the masses and steering clear of actions that create dissatisfaction.

He added that Tarique has asked aspirants to increase their engagement with ordinary people. “He always reminds us of a core belief: people are the true source of BNP’s political strength. As long as we have their trust, no propaganda can turn them away from us, Insha’Allah.”

Calling for stronger grassroots connections, Rizvi said the acting chairman advised leaders and activists to reach households, distribute leaflets on BNP’s 31-point reform proposal, and explain how it would ensure genuine change.

He accused a vested quarter of spreading fabricated stories and carrying out conspiracies to create confusion among the public. “They are using certain media platforms to push falsehoods in BNP’s name and to divide our ranks,” he alleged.

Rizvi further claimed that some forces are engaged in a sinister attempt to revive the outlawed, fascist Awami League-responsible for mass killings during the people’s uprising-only to serve their own political ambitions.

He expressed concern over the recent circulation of alleged BNP nomination lists in newspapers, media outlets, and social media, saying these are meant to trigger division, frustration, and chaos inside the party.

Concluding, Rizvi said BNP is fully gearing up for the election and will announce candidates who are popular, competent, and trusted-through a systematic and lawful process-when the proper time comes.