No full committee for 20 years: BNP divided into three factions in Jhenaidah-4 constituency

Once considered a stronghold of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Jhenaidah-4 constituency (covering part of Jhenaidah Sadar and Kaliganj) has witnessed deepening internal divisions after remaining out of power for 17 consecutive years.

Internal conflicts, nomination disputes, a series of expulsions, and organizational weaknesses have created an atmosphere of instability and uncertainty within the Kaliganj Upazila BNP. The party is now effectively divided into three rival factions.

The latest 13th National Parliamentary Election also slipped away from the party due to the split in its vote bank.

Furthermore, the Kaliganj Upazila BNP has not had a full-fledged committee for the past 20 years. Despite prolonged expectations, the continued delay in announcing a complete committee has led to growing frustration among grassroots leaders and activists.

Historical Legacy and Political Shifts

In the 1979 Second National Parliamentary Election, the late Ebadat Hossain Mondal of the BNP was elected as a Member of Parliament from the then greater Jessore-3 constituency. During the military rule of President Hussain Muhammad Ershad (1982–1990), the seat came under the control of the Jatiya Party.

However, in the 1991 Fifth National Parliamentary Election, the late Alhaj M. Shahiduzzaman Beltu of the BNP won the seat and retained it for four consecutive terms, overseeing significant development projects throughout the constituency.

The constituency effectively slipped from BNP's control after Beltu was defeated by the late Abdul Mannan of the Awami League in the 2008 Ninth Parliamentary Election. Political repression, numerous legal cases, and deteriorating health gradually reduced Beltu's field-level political activities, weakening the party's organizational structure.

During the party's difficult years, one faction remained active under the leadership of the late Mahbubar Rahman, then Convener of Kaliganj Upazila BNP, and former Senior Joint Convener Hamidul Islam Hamid. At the same time, supporters of Shahiduzzaman Beltu continued their political activities separately.

The internal divide deepened ahead of the 2018 Eleventh Parliamentary Election. Although former MP Shahiduzzaman Beltu, Saiful Islam Firoz, Hamidul Islam Hamid, and Harun Or Rashid Mollah all sought the party nomination, the BNP eventually nominated Saiful Islam Firoz. Nevertheless, Anwarul Azim Anar of the Awami League emerged victorious.

Following that election, the Kaliganj Upazila BNP effectively split into three separate factions, led respectively by Saiful Islam Firoz, Hamidul Islam Hamid, and Murshida Zaman Beltu, the wife of former MP Shahiduzzaman Beltu. Each group developed its own political base and continued operating independently.

The 13th Parliamentary Election and a New Political Equation

The latest 13th National Parliamentary Election brought a significant political realignment in Jhenaidah-4. Bypassing local party leaders, the BNP high command nominated Rashed Khan, former General Secretary of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, as the party's candidate.

The decision triggered widespread dissatisfaction among local leaders and activists.

Defying the party's decision, former central BNP leader Saiful Islam Firoz entered the race as an independent candidate.

Meanwhile, Murshida Zaman Beltu withdrew her nomination, while Hamidul Islam Hamid accepted the party's directive and campaigned for the alliance-backed candidate.

As a consequence of violating party discipline, Saiful Islam Firoz and several of his supporters were expelled from the BNP.

The division of BNP votes between alliance candidate Rashed Khan and independent candidate Saiful Islam Firoz resulted in the defeat of both. Ultimately, Maulana Abu Talib, the candidate of Jamaat-e-Islami, won the parliamentary seat.

At present, Kaliganj Upazila BNP continues to experience political instability. Many leaders expelled for contesting the election against party instructions remain under disciplinary action. At the same time, the prolonged delay in forming a full committee has created uncertainty and disappointment among party workers.

According to party sources, current leaders are actively communicating with the central leadership in hopes of securing positions in the upcoming committee. Meanwhile, expelled leaders are also maintaining contact with the party high command, seeking reinstatement into the party.

Several local BNP leaders believe that unless the long-standing absence of a committee and internal factionalism are resolved, the party could face serious setbacks in the upcoming local government elections.

What the Leaders Say

Former Senior Joint General Secretary of the BNP's Central Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, Saiful Islam Firoz, told Asia Post:

"I contested the election as an independent candidate at the request of the people. The alliance-backed candidate was not accepted by ordinary voters, and the election results reflected that reality. My supporters and I remain committed to the ideals of Zia and continue our politics under the directives of the party chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman."

"We have not joined any other political party. For the greater interest of the BNP, I urge the leadership to withdraw all expulsions and allow everyone to return to the party's mainstream."

Former Senior Joint Convener of Kaliganj Upazila BNP, Hamidul Islam Hamid, said:

"I have remained loyal to the party since my student days. Even though I was denied the nomination, I wholeheartedly campaigned for the alliance-backed candidate in accordance with the central leadership's instructions."

"Had we remained united, the BNP would have won by a huge margin. There is no alternative to unity if we want to strengthen the party. Kaliganj Upazila BNP has been without a full committee for the past 20 years. A credible committee should be announced as soon as possible to restore discipline within the organization."

BNP-nominated candidate in the 13th Parliamentary Election, Rashed Khan, told Asia Post:

"We failed to achieve the desired result because we had insufficient time to prepare, the party's former nominee contested independently against the party's decision, and some local leaders did not fully cooperate."

"However, we must now move beyond past mistakes. Party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed everyone to remain united. The final decision regarding the Kaliganj Upazila committee will be made by him."

District BNP's Position and the Wait for a Committee

According to local political analysts, local government elections are approaching rapidly. They believe that unless the BNP promptly resolves its internal conflicts and forms a broadly acceptable full committee for Kaliganj Upazila, the party may once again pay a heavy political price in the upcoming polls.

Regarding the overall situation, Jahiduzzaman Mona, General Secretary of the Jhenaidah District BNP, told Asia Post:

"Those who violated the party's decision by contesting the election independently and opposing the official party candidate are primarily responsible for losing this constituency."

"Since local government elections are approaching, the central leadership has not yet instructed us to form the upazila committee. Once the elections are completed, a strong and full-fledged Kaliganj Upazila BNP committee will be announced in accordance with directives from the party high command."