The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled its central committee member Samiran Dewan after he decided to contest the upcoming election as an independent candidate from Khagrachhari-298 constituency under the football symbol. The decision was announced on Sunday through a press release signed by BNP Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, citing involvement in activities against party discipline. The expulsion includes termination of Dewan’s primary membership and removal from all party positions.

According to the party, Khagrachhari district BNP president Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan received the official nomination and is contesting under the paddy sheaf symbol. Dewan’s decision to run independently prompted the party to take organizational action against him. Dewan had previously contested the 2008 national election as a BNP candidate and finished second.

In response, Dewan alleged that Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, facing corruption charges, fielded his nephew Daudul Islam Bhuiyan as an independent candidate to block Dewan’s potential victory. Dewan declined to comment further on his expulsion, saying he was busy with campaign activities.