BNP moves to finalise candidates for Khaleda’s seats

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed yesterday said alternative candidates nominated by the party for the three constituencies allocated to chairperson Khaleda Zia would become the official BNP candidates if their nominations pass scrutiny.

He also said there is no legal scope to suspend or defer the election following her death.

"Since our party has nominated alternative candidates for the seats allocated to her, they will become the BNP candidates if their nominations pass scrutiny," he told reporters at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.

Khaleda was nominated by BNP for three constituencies -- Dinajpur-3, Feni-1 and Bogura-7 -- in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election.

The party also fielded alternative candidates due to her critical health condition.

For Feni-1, Dhaka city south unit convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu; for Bogura-7, local BNP leader Morshed Alom; and for Dinajpur-3, BNP leader Sayed Jahangir Alom submitted nomination papers.

Explaining the legal position, Salahuddin said if the BNP chief had died after scrutiny of nominations or allocation of election symbols, legal complications could have arisen and the question of postponement might have come up.

"But that is not the situation now. She passed away before the scrutiny process. Legally, she no longer exists as a legal entity, so her nomination paper will not be valid during scrutiny," he said.

Regarding BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Salahuddin said Tarique Rahman is a political personality and must remain mentally strong.

"There is no alternative to this. No matter how shocked he is, he must remain strong in the interests of the nation," he said.

Responding to another question, he said, "We truly want to turn the grief over Khaleda Zia's death into strength. But we are not narrow-minded that we will exploit public emotion for election purposes."

In a separate discussion, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the love and emotions shown by people after the death of BNP chairperson would make the party stronger.

Talking to reporters at the chairperson's office, he said Khaleda's role as a guardian was badly needed at this "crucial moment" for the country and that people had been deeply saddened by her death.

"People shed tears at her janaza. Following her passing, people will now fulfil their duty to establish democracy. And by making the next election free, fair and neutral, they will ensure BNP's victory for the sake of the country," he said.