Local BNP activists in Jashore-1 (Sharsha) constituency staged a dramatic protest march wearing burial shrouds on Saturday, demanding that the party withdraw the nomination of reformist leader Mofiqul Hasan Tripti.

The procession began at 5:00pm from the Sharsha Mini Stadium and paraded along the Jashore–Benapole highway for nearly an hour. Witnesses said tens of thousands of people joined the demonstration, overflowing several kilometres of the highway.

Tripti, a former BNP office secretary, has been named as the party’s initially selected candidate for the Jashore-1 seat. However, many grassroots BNP activists are opposing his nomination.

Several senior local leaders had sought the nomination, including Upazila BNP president Abul Hasan Jahir, general secretary Alhaj Nuruzzaman Liton, and adviser Khairuzzaman Madhu. The announcement of Tripti as the preliminary choice has triggered strong reactions among local BNP factions.

During the protest, many activists wore white shrouds symbolising their “political death” if the nomination is not changed. A large number of grassroots BNP members, supporters from different unions, and women joined the demonstration.

Protesters chanted slogans including: “Save Sharsha,” “Remove reformist Tripti,” “Save BNP,” “We want nomination change,” “Respect the dedicated workers,” and “We want a people’s candidate.”

Mostafa Kamal Mintu, senior joint general secretary of Sharsha Upazila BNP, said they are not opposing Tripti in favour of any specific individual, but believe the nomination should go to someone who has been active in movement politics over the past 16 years and has strong connections with local people.

“Everyone expected that one of those who played a vital role in the movement and maintained close ties with grassroots activists would receive the nomination,” he said. “That did not happen, which has disappointed the party’s base. Before the final list is announced, we urge the BNP to reconsider the nomination for Jashore-1.”

He also claimed that defeating the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate in the constituency would be “impossible” with Tripti as the nominee.

Agitating BNP workers alleged that 80 percent of local leaders and general voters are frustrated by the decision to nominate Tripti, whom they describe as disconnected from the constituency’s people and party base.

“We do not accept this nomination,” they said. “Our movement will continue until the nomination is changed. If a dedicated leader with strong public ties is nominated, we will work for that candidate wholeheartedly.”