Independent candidate Barrister M. Sarwar Hossain has withdrawn his candidacy for the Dhaka-17 constituency, citing loyalty to nationalist ideals and respect for party leadership. The Supreme Court lawyer made the announcement on Tuesday, January 20, the final day for withdrawal, after BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was nominated for the same seat.

Sarwar’s nomination had initially been rejected by the Election Commission during the preliminary screening but was later reinstated through appeal. Despite winning the legal battle to retain his candidacy, he chose to step aside out of respect for his party chief. Speaking to journalists, Sarwar said he had long been involved in politics under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman and had even faced imprisonment for the cause.

Expressing optimism about the country’s political future, Sarwar stated that Tarique Rahman would work toward building a corruption-free, justice-based society, emphasizing good governance and a strong foreign policy to bring qualitative change to national politics.