Rashed Khan has formally joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) after leaving the Gono Odhikar Parishad, and has received the party’s nomination to contest the upcoming national parliamentary election from the Jhenaidah-4 constituency.

He joined the BNP on Saturday afternoon by presenting flowers to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka.

As part of seat-sharing arrangements with allies involved in the joint opposition movement, the BNP has allocated Jhenaidah-4 to Rashed Khan and Patuakhali-3 to Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur. 

Under the Election Commission’s revised rules, candidates of allied parties must contest elections using their own party symbols even if they are part of a coalition. Accordingly, Rashed Khan was initially expected to contest the election with the Gono Odhikar Parishad’s symbol, the truck.

However, speculation began circulating on Friday evening that Rashed Khan would join the BNP. Several media outlets published reports on the matter. 

Later that night, Nurul Haque Nur clarified the party’s position in a Facebook post, stating that, as an electoral strategy, Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan would contest from Jhenaidah-4 with the BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, while Nur himself would contest from Patuakhali-3 with the party’s own symbol.

According to electoral rules, contesting with the BNP symbol requires formal departure from one’s original party and nomination by the BNP. Following this, Rashed Khan officially joined the BNP and was nominated by the party.

Speaking at the event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “Rashed Khan is joining the BNP. I congratulate him. The BNP has decided to nominate Rashed Khan to contest the Jhenaidah-4 constituency—comprising Jhenaidah Sadar and Kaliganj—with the sheaf of paddy symbol.”

He also urged BNP leaders and activists in the constituency to work unitedly for Rashed Khan’s victory.

Rashed Khan, in his speech, said his role alongside Nurul Haque Nur—from the quota reform movement to the July uprising—was well known to journalists and did not require further explanation. He said the BNP was fighting to establish the rights of the masses and described late President Ziaur Rahman as his ideological inspiration.

He also praised BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, saying, “He leads the party at present and has always shown me affection and support. My relationship with him was forged through the anti-fascist movement. I believe his leadership is essential for building a new Bangladesh and that he will play a crucial role in reform, justice and ensuring a free and fair election.”

“I have joined the BNP today,” Rashed Khan added, “and under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, I will continue to struggle and work for the country and its people.”

BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed was also present at the programme.

Meanwhile, several leaders from allied parties have recently joined the BNP. LDP Secretary General Redwan Ahmed has resigned from his post and joined the BNP, becoming the party’s candidate in Cumilla-7. 

Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim and Jatiya Dal Chairman Syed Ehsanul Huda have dissolved their respective parties and joined the BNP. Shahadat Hossain Selim will contest from Lakshmipur-1, while Syed Ehsanul Huda will contest from Kishoreganj-5, both with the sheaf of paddy symbol.