RAJSHAHI, Feb 15 (V7N) - The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has lost 11 out of 39 parliamentary seats in Rajshahi division to Jamaat-backed candidates, with political analysts attributing the setback to internal rebellion, candidate arrogance and weak grassroots engagement.

The party suffered a complete defeat in Chapainawabganj, where all three BNP candidates failed to secure victory. Local party sources said long-time leaders and activists were expecting new faces after years of political struggle, but dissatisfaction over nominations contributed to declining popularity of the candidates.

In several constituencies, allegations of disconnect between candidates and grassroots leaders also surfaced. In Rajshahi-1, candidate Major General (Retd) Sharif Uddin reportedly conducted campaigns while largely avoiding local party workers, while Rajshahi-4 candidate DMD Ziaur Rahman drew criticism over controversial conduct after receiving the party nomination, which observers say affected voter confidence.

Rebel candidates played a decisive role in key constituencies including Joypurhat and Pabna. In Joypurhat-1, BNP nominee Masud Rana Pradhan lost by 9,883 votes, with party insiders claiming that the presence of a rebel contender split the vote bank. Similar internal divisions were also cited in defeats in Pabna-3 and Pabna-4.

BNP candidates also lagged behind in seats such as Naogaon-2 and Sirajganj-4, where analysts pointed to organisational weakness and reduced morale among local leaders and activists despite Jamaat’s growing electoral strength in some areas.

BNP’s Rajshahi divisional organising secretary Syed Shahin Shawkat said the party would review the causes behind the defeats and take corrective measures in the future, while expressing overall satisfaction that voters exercised their democratic choice.

Political observers noted that while the presence of a strong opposition influenced the overall electoral outcome in Rajshahi division, internal disunity, flawed nomination decisions and limited grassroots coordination ultimately contributed to BNP’s losses in multiple constituencies.
END//RH