Rumin Farhana's forehead burned, Junaid Al Habib got the expected seat!

Barrister Rumin Farhana, a former MP from the reserved seat of the National Parliament and BNP's International Affairs Assistant Secretary, had expressed a strong interest in running as the BNP candidate in Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj and part of Bijoynagar) constituency under the symbol of a sheaf of rice. However, due to the alliance seat agreement, BNP finally gave up this seat to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Vice-President Maulana Junaid Al Habib.

The decision was announced by the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a press conference organized at the political office of the BNP Chairperson in Gulshan on Tuesday (December 23).

At the press conference, Mirza Fakhrul said that according to the alliance's decision, BNP will not field any candidate in the seats where Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam candidates will contest. He also warned that organizational action will be taken against anyone who chooses independently, defying the party's decision. He further said that the people are being urged to strengthen the rice paddy by voting with the palm tree symbol.

The nomination of Barrister Rumin Farhana in Brahmanbaria-2 constituency has been under discussion in the political arena for a long time. On November 3, BNP released the primary candidate list for 237 seats, but no candidate has been announced for this seat. Since then, there has been a perception among local leaders and activists that the seat may be left to the alliance's partner party, Jamiat.

However, despite not getting the party's nomination, Rumin Farhana continued her election activities. In various meetings and gatherings, she indicated that she would participate in the election as an independent candidate if she did not get the nomination. At a prayer and exchange of views meeting organized at Bitghar Bazar of Panishwar Union in Sarail Upazila last Friday (December 19) to pray for Khaleda Zia's recovery, she said, "Whatever I say, I will do. If you are by my side, no matter the mark, I will vote from Sarail-Ashuganj."

After the alliance officially announced Junaid Al Habib as its candidate on Tuesday, disappointment spread among Rumin Farhana's supporters. They alleged that his contribution and popularity were not properly evaluated by the party.

Russel Biplob, senior joint convener of Ashuganj Upazila Volunteer Party, a supporter of Rumin Farhana, said, "We expected BNP to nominate Rumin Apa for the development of the area. But we are disappointed with the party's decision. Even then, we will try to elect her as an independent candidate in the interest of the area."

However, Sarail Upazila BNP General Secretary Nuruzzaman Laskar Tapu said, "We are the BNP family. We will work according to the party's decision. "There is no chance of leaving the party. I haven't been able to vote for a long time—it is our moral responsibility to implement the party's decision."