BNP Unveils Chattogram Candidates

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DHAKA – Bangladesh’s opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has nominated three women, including a prominent legal aide to party activists and a long-serving district general secretary, for reserved parliamentary seats, the party announced Monday. The nominations highlight a mix of established figures and newer faces in the party’s parliamentary representation.

Shakila Farzana, daughter of the late Whip Syed Wahidul Alam, is among the nominees. Farzana is recognized for providing legal assistance to BNP activists facing charges under the current Awami League government, an activity that party sources claim led to her harassment. She previously served time in jail after being arrested in a militant financing case, from which she was later acquitted. On March 1, 2025, Farzana and 24 others were acquitted in a case involving alleged funding of a Chittagong-based militant organization. Responding to her nomination, Farzana told *Prothom Alo*, “I want to work for the country and its people.”

Shamim Ara Swapna, a resident of Tekpara in Cox’s Bazar, has served as the district BNP’s general secretary for two decades. A former Public Prosecutor (PP) at the Cox’s Bazar District Court, Swapna has been an active participant in party programs and faced multiple lawsuits during the Awami League government’s tenure. Her late husband, Md. Jasim Uddin, was the principal of Moheshkhali Degree College and also served as the general secretary of the District Sports Association. “As a Member of Parliament, I want to play a role in the development of the area, as well as stand by party leaders, activists, and helpless people,” Swapna told *Prothom Alo*.

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The third nominee, Medawe Madhabi Marma from Bandarban, is a lawyer and currently serves as a member of the District Council. While responsible party leaders could not specify any official position Marma holds within the BNP or its affiliated organizations, she stated last Friday that despite not holding an official post, her general acceptance within the party prompted her to seek the parliamentary nomination. The names were announced by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan on Monday afternoon.