The nomination of Abu Sufian, former convener of BNP's South Chattogram district unit, as a candidate for the Chattogram-9 (Kotwali) constituency in the upcoming national election, was halted shortly after announcement, sparking widespread speculations across Chattogram.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the names of party candidates at a press conference held at the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan, Dhaka this evening.
After the announcement of Abu Sufian's name for the Chattogram-9 seat, the decision was later put on hold. Of the 16 constituencies in Chattogram, five seats remain vacant for now, triggering discussions among party insiders.
Despite repeated phone calls, Abu Sufian could not be reached for comments.
Earlier, the BNP central committee suspended Abu Sufian's party membership after his name surfaced in connection with moving vehicles belonging to the S Alam Group. Later, the party high command reinstated his membership after investigation.
Sufian previously served as the senior vice-president of Chattogram city BNP.
Meanwhile, supporters of BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury blocked parts of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Sitakunda this evening, protesting his exclusion from the party's primary list of candidates.
According to highway police, the blockade was enforced around 7:00pm at Bar Aulia, Bhatiari, and Jalil Gate points on the busy highway.
Demonstrators set fire to tyres and chanted slogans demanding party nomination for Aslam Chowdhury, the recently released former joint secretary general of BNP.
As of 8:00pm, vehicular movement on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway remained suspended due to the blockade, said Abdul Mubin, officer-in-charge of Bar Aulia Highway Police Station.
Law enforcers were trying to clear the road, he added.
They also set fires on railway line at two points near Bhatiary and Sitakunda stations.
As a result, the Chattala Express and Nasirabad Express trains bound for Chattogram remained stranded at Sitakunda as of 9:30pm, according to information from the Chattogram Railway Control Room.