BNP candidate says he regained paddy sheaf symbol after Tarique Rahman’s intervention

A BNP candidate in the Faridpur-1 constituency has said he retained his candidacy and received the party’s paddy sheaf symbol after intervention by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, following legal and administrative challenges.

Khandaker Nasirul Islam, BNP’s candidate for Faridpur-1, made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Wednesday afternoon after the Election Commission allocated election symbols at the Faridpur Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Earlier, another candidate had applied to the Election Commission seeking cancellation of Nasirul Islam’s candidacy, alleging that he had concealed information in the affidavit submitted with his nomination papers for the 13th National Parliament election. The matter later went to court, but the Appellate Division rejected the application, clearing the way for Nasirul Islam to contest legally.

Nasirul Islam, who is vice-president of the Nationalist Farmers’ Party, said his constituency faced repeated obstacles. He claimed a writ petition was filed in the High Court on the day of symbol allocation in an attempt to block him. He said that despite these challenges, he ultimately received the paddy sheaf symbol with the support of party leadership.

“After overcoming many obstacles and conspiracies, and with the intervention of our respected chairman Tarique Rahman, I accepted the paddy sheaf symbol today on behalf of the voters of Faridpur-1,” he said, also urging party supporters to work for BNP’s victory in all four Faridpur constituencies.

BNP candidates Nayab Yusuf Ahmed (Faridpur-3) and Md Shahidul Islam Babul (Faridpur-4), who is also general secretary of the Nationalist Farmers’ Party’s central executive committee, were present at the time.

Later, Md Shahidul Islam Babul clarified Nasirul Islam’s comments. He said Nasirul Islam had been nominated by the party leadership and, after facing several legal and political hurdles, ultimately retained his symbol following a favourable court verdict.

According to sources, Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar of the National Unity Alliance had filed the application with the Election Commission seeking cancellation of Nasirul Islam’s candidacy. After the application was rejected and Nasirul Islam was declared a valid candidate, Abu Zafar withdrew from the race, citing illness.

Abu Zafar, who has contested parliamentary elections 10 times between 1979 and 2024 and won four times, said he did not pursue further legal action after the Election Commission’s decision.

“The Election Commission rejected my application and declared him a valid candidate. After that, I did not file any writ,” he told reporters.