BNP Fields Second-Generation Leaders in Key Seats: Sons and Daughters of Veterans

In its preliminary list of 237 candidates for the 13th national parliamentary election, BNP has prominently featured second-generation leaders—sons and daughters of veteran politicians—who are set to contest under the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol. Some have prior electoral experience, while a few have even served as MPs.

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will contest from the Bogura‑6 (Sadar) constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. His ancestral seat, Bogura-6, has been held since 1996 by his mother, Khaleda Zia, and is considered a longstanding BNP stronghold.

Dhaka-4: Tanbir Ahmed Robin, son of former MP Salahuddin Ahmed (7th and 9th Parliament), is Dhaka South City BNP Member Secretary.

Dhaka-6: Engineer Ishraque Hossain, son of late Dhaka Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, lost the 2020 Dhaka South City election by 1.75 lakh votes to Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh. Post-revolution, the tribunal declared him mayor on March 27, but he never took oath.

Chattogram-5: Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, son of BNP Vice Chairman Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin, is Chattogram Divisional BNP Assistant Organizational Secretary and Central Executive Committee member.

Chattogram-7: Hummam Quader Chowdhury, son of late BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, is BNP Executive Committee member.

Chattogram-14: Mishkatul Islam Chowdhury Bappa, son of late Forest & Environment Deputy Minister Jafar Ullah Chowdhury, is Chattogram South district BNP Joint Convener.

Faridpur-2: Shama Obaed Islam, daughter of late BNP Secretary General and Minister KM Obaidur Rahman, is BNP Organizational Secretary and contested the seat in 2018.

Faridpur-3: Chaudhuri Nayab Yusuf, daughter of late Disaster Management Minister Chaudhuri Kamal Ibn Yusuf (granddaughter of United Front Minister Yusuf Ali Chowdhury—Mohan Mia), is BNP National Executive Committee member.

Panchagarh-1: Mohammad Nowshad Zamir, son of former Speaker and acting President Jamiruddin Sircar (94, still a BNP Standing Committee member), replaces his father. Nowshad is BNP's International Affairs Secretary.

Natore-1: Farzana Sharmin Putul, daughter of late Youth & Sports and Social Welfare Minister Fazlur Rahman Patol, contests as Natore district BNP Joint Convener and former member of the interim government's Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Committee.

Kushtia-2: Ragib Rouf Chowdhury, son of former MP Abdur Rouf Chowdhury, is a BNP Central Executive Committee member and Supreme Court panel lawyer for the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Jashore-3: Anindya Islam Amit, son of late Food, Information, and Forest & Environment Minister Tariqul Islam, serves as BNP Khulna Divisional Acting Organizational Secretary and contested the seat in 2018.

Moulvibazar-3: Nasser Rahman, son of late Finance Minister Saifur Rahman, is Moulvibazar district BNP President and was elected MP in the 2001 by-election.

Gazipur-4: Shah Riazul Hannan Riaz, son of late BNP Standing Committee member ASM Hannan Shah, is Gazipur district Joint Convener and contested in 2018.

Manikganj-2: Mainul Islam Khan, son of late Industry Minister Shamsul Islam Khan, won a 2006 by-election after his father’s death and is now BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member.

Mymensingh-9: Yasir Khan Chowdhury, son of late MP and former district BNP President Anwarul Hossain Khan Chowdhury, is Nandail Upazila BNP Convener.

Sherpur-3: Mahmudul Haq Rubel, son of late MP Sirajul Haq (9th Parliament), is BNP Central Executive Committee member.

Sherpur-2: Engineer Fahim Chowdhury, son of late Whip Jahed Ali Chowdhury, is BNP Central Executive Committee member.

Sherpur-1: Dr. Sansila Zebrin Priyanka (32), daughter of district BNP General Secretary Hazrat Ali, is district Joint Convener and was BNP’s youngest candidate in 2018.

Jhenaidah-3: Mehdi Hasan, son of late MP Shahidul Islam Master.

Gazipur-2: E.M. Manjurul Karim Ronnie, son of late Gazipur Mayor Abdul Mannan.

Pirojpur-2: Ahmed Sohail Manju Sumon, son of late MP Nurul Islam Manjur.

This generational shift signals BNP’s strategy to balance legacy with youth as it prepares for the polls.