Many candidates of BNP and its alliance partners, including Khaleda Zia and many other front-ranking leaders, were declared invalid on Sunday by the Election Commission during scrutiny, reports UNB.
They include BNP vice-chairmen Morshed Khan, Mir Nasir and Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury, BNP chairperson's adviser Amanullah Aman, Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) president Abdul Kader Siddiqui, ex-minister Barrister Aminul Haque, former Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria's son and Gano Forum runner Reza Kibria and Golam Maula Rony, who recently joined BNP.
In Dhaka, the returning officer declared BNP leader Amamnullah Aman's nomination illegal for Dhaka-2 constituency as he was convicted in a corruption case.
Besides, the nominations of BNP's Dhaka-6 candidate and ex-Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka's son Ishraque Hossain, Dhaka-1 runner Khandaker Abu Ashfaq and Dhaka-20 contender Sultan Ahmed were also revoked.
In Tangail, the nomination papers of KSJL chief Abdul Kader Siddiqui for Tangail-4 and Tangail-8 constituencies were rejected on charge of loan default, said returning officer Shahidul Islam.
In Patuakhali, the nomination of former Awami League MP Golam Maula Rony for Patuakhali-3 seat was cancelled as he did not put his signature on the affidavit.
In Habiganj, the returning officer cancelled the nomination of Gano Forum candidate Reza Kibria for Habiganj-1 constituency due to loan default.
FE report adds: The government has 'selectively' cancelled nomination papers of popular BNP candidates, including the party chairperson Khaleda Zia, as part of implementing its 'blueprint', BNP spokesperson alleged on Sunday.
"The cancellation of nomination papers of Khaleda Zia ahead of the national election is ill-motivated and mischievous," said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
The government is doing so (cancellation of nomination papers of BNP candidates) as part of its master-plan to hold one-sided polls, he said at a press briefing organised at the party's Nayapaltan central office in the city.
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