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Wednesday | November 11, 2026 | Dhaka
Salam, Newaz, Sohel or Ishraque

Who gets BNP’s DSCC ticket?

 Mohammad Abdul Wadud
 Published: 12:01 AM, 11 November 2026

Speculation is mounting within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over who will secure the party’s nomination for the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayoral election, with four prominent leaders emerging as potential contenders.

While Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) have already announced their candidates, the BNP is yet to make its choice, apparently adopting a cautious approach as it weighs the political strength, popularity and organisational credentials of potential candidates.

The names dominating discussions within party circles are Abdus Salam, Mir Newaz Ali Newaz, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and Engineer Ishraque Hossain. However, some party insiders suggest that the contest may currently be narrowing down to Salam and Newaz.

The final decision rests with BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, whose assessment is expected to determine who will represent the party in the mayoral contest. The recently announced Dhaka Metropolitan South committee may also offer some indications about the party’s political calculations.

Abdus Salam, a veteran BNP politician, freedom fighter and adviser to the party chairperson, has emerged as a strong contender. He is the convener of the newly formed Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP committee and currently serves as the administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation.

Following his appointment as the committee convener, Salam’s supporters celebrated at the city corporation headquarters. Asked by The New Nation whether he expected to receive the party nomination, he replied that people should “read between the lines”.

He also expressed complete confidence that the party chairperson would nominate him. Alongside his administrative responsibilities, Salam has reportedly been advancing his political preparations for the election. His long-standing involvement in party politics and established position in the capital’s political landscape are considered significant advantages.

Meanwhile, a section of BNP leaders and grassroots activists is advocating Mir Newaz Ali Newaz as a potential candidate, particularly in view of Jamaat-e-Islami’s decision to nominate a young leader, Sadiq Kayem.

Newaz, who was elected vice-president of Dhaka College Students’ Union under the banner of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) during the 1990 mass uprising, currently serves as the BNP’s central assistant youth affairs secretary. He previously served as general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South Jubo Dal.

His supporters claim that he has a strong organisational network and a dedicated following across almost every ward under the DSCC. They believe his experience in student politics and grassroots mobilisation could make him an effective candidate, particularly in attracting young voters.

Speaking to The New Nation, Newaz said, “I have been with this party for the past 40 years.”
Expressing confidence in his prospects, he said the party chairperson would assess the candidates’ popularity and contributions at the grassroots level before making a final decision. “In this regard, I am 100% confident that my contributions will be recognised,” he added.

Many grassroots activists reportedly view Newaz as a candidate capable of mobilising young voters and countering Jamaat’s youthful nominee.

The other two potential contenders, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and Engineer Ishraque Hossain, also remain prominent figures in the nomination discussion.

Sohel, a former president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, is currently a joint secretary general of the BNP’s national executive committee. He also previously served as president of the Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP. His political experience and organisational background make him another potential choice.

Ishraque Hossain, an engineer by profession, is the son of the late BNP leader and former mayor of undivided Dhaka, Sadeque Hossain Khoka. He has considerable visibility in party activities and enjoys support among sections of the party leadership and grassroots activists.

Ishraque Hossain, Dhaka-6 MP who has announced his resignation as state minister for Liberation War Affairs, said on October 19 that he was fully prepared to contest the mayoral election if the BNP nominated him.

On the other side of the political equation, Jamaat-e-Islami has announced Sadiq Kayem, a former Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) vice-president, as its mayoral candidate. The NCP has nominated its senior joint convener, Nasir Uddin Patwary, who was recently introduced as the party’s candidate by its convener, Nahid Islam.

With rival parties already moving ahead with their nominations, pressure is mounting on the BNP to settle its candidate and formulate an effective electoral strategy.

For now, the contest remains open. Whether the party opts for Salam’s political experience and administrative profile, Newaz’s grassroots network, Sohel’s organisational credentials or Ishraque’s political legacy remains to be seen.

Ultimately, the decision will rest with Tarique Rahman. His choice could prove decisive not only for the BNP’s electoral prospects in Dhaka South but also for the political balance of the capital.