Dhaka: In a decisive move to maintain party discipline, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled 59 more local leaders for defying party directives and contesting the upcoming national election as independent candidates. The party’s decision reflects its firm stance on enforcing organizational discipline and adherence to its policies.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the expulsion was announced in a media release issued on Wednesday night. The statement indicated that the leaders were ousted for engaging in activities that contravened the party’s policy, ideology, and organizational discipline. Consequently, they have been stripped of their primary membership and all posts at every tier of the party.

This move follows an earlier expulsion of 13 leaders who were running in seats designated for alliance partners, thereby defying the party’s decisions. The recent expulsions span several divisions, including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Faridpur, Sylhet, Cumilla, and Chattogram.

Earlier in the day, Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the party’s Election Steering Committee, stated that BNP would take organizational action against its ‘rebel’ candidates if they did not withdraw from the election race. He emphasized that discussions would occur within the Election Steering Committee and the top leadership of BNP. If any candidate persists in their candidacy, the party will take definitive action against them.

Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s election office in Gulshan, Mahdi Amin highlighted the party’s desire for all members to work together with full dedication for candidates under the party’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol. He warned that those failing to align with this goal would face organizational repercussions.

According to media reports, approximately 76 rebel BNP candidates remain in the electoral field across the country, having not withdrawn their nomination papers by the deadline on Tuesday. This underscores the ongoing internal challenges within the party as it seeks to consolidate support for its official candidates.

The expelled leaders from various divisions are as follows:

– Rangpur Division: ANM Bazlur Rashid, AZM Rezaeanul Haque, and Riyad Arafan Sarkar Rana.

– Rajshahi Division: Parvez Arefin Siddiqui Jony, Taiful Islam Tipu, Dr. Yasser Arshad Rajon, Daudar Mahmood, Isfa Khairul Haque Shimul, Barrister Rezaul Karim, KM Anwarul Islam, and Zakaria Pintu.

– Khulna Division: Nuruzzaman, Monirul Islam, Advocate Shahid Iqbal, Dr. Shahidul Alam, Engr Masud, and Khairuzzaman Shipon.

– Barishal Division: Abdus Sobhan and Md Mahmud Hossain.

– Dhaka Division: Md Dulal Hossain, Md Ataur Rahman Khan Angur, Prof Md Rezaul Karim, Advocate Mohammad Ali, Lutfur Rahman Khan Azad, Advocate Farhad Iqbal, Md Jamal Ahmed Chowdhury, Md Mumin Ali, and Md Mohiuddin.

– Mymensingh Division: Rezaul Karim Chunnu, Sheikh Mojibur Rahman Iqbal, Salman Omar Rubel, AB Siddiqur Rahman, Md Morshed Alam, Md Delwar Hossain Bhuiyan, and Md Aminul Islam Badsha.

– Faridpur Division: Lavlu Siddiqui, Kamal Jamal Nuruddin Molla, Milton Boiddya, Nasirul Haque Sabu, MS Khan Manju, Sirajul Islam Siraj, and Advocate Habibur Rahman Habib.

– Sylhet Division: Anwar Hossain, Dewan Zainul Zakerin, Mamunur Rashid, Mohsin Mia Madhu, and Sheikh Sujat Mia.

– Cumilla Division: Advocate Kamruzzaman Mamun, Kazi Nazmul Hossain Tapas, Krishibid Saiduazzaman Kamal, Engr Abdul Matin, Atikul Alam Shawon, and MA Hannan.

– Chattogram Division: Advocate Mizanul Haque Chowdhury, Shafiqul Islam Rahi, Liakat Ali Chairman, Kazi Mofizur Rahman, Engr Fazlul Azim, and Engr Tanvir Uddin Rajib.