The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has officially endorsed Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi, Secretary General of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, as its supported candidate for the Nilphamari-1 (Domar-Dimla) constituency in the upcoming 13th national election. The announcement was made by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir during a press conference at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan on Tuesday.

The decision marks a shift from earlier expectations, as Shahreen Islam Chowdhury Tuhin, nephew of Khaleda Zia and cousin of Tarique Rahman, had been actively campaigning in the area anticipating BNP’s nomination. His exclusion has reportedly caused mixed reactions within party ranks. Afendi expressed gratitude for the nomination, stating his confidence in victory and pledging to work toward a corruption-free administration and society.

Political observers view this move as part of BNP’s broader strategy to strengthen alliances with Islamist parties ahead of the election. The Nilphamari-1 seat is expected to be closely contested, with local dynamics and coalition politics playing a decisive role in the outcome.