Some of the BNP leaders have been in contact with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as contingency measures, fearing they might fail to manage the BNP nominations, said a party insider.

In seeking nomination, a number of immediate past lawmakers and senior leaders will come up against a stiff opposition from within the party at constituencies in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Jessore, Rajshahi, Comilla, Sirajganj, Manikganj, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali and Bogra districts.

They have even been declared 'unwanted' by fellow party leaders and workers in their constituencies.

However, the BNP high-ups maintain that the nomination seekers and the activists will accept the decisions of the party's parliamentary board and work together for whoever it will field as its candidate.

Particularly in Chittagong and Khulna divisions, the party might face a serious problem due to LDP Executive President Oli Ahmed and former speaker Sheikh Razzak Ali. Oli holds sway over greater Chittagong while Razzak is a very popular and influential leader in Khulna.

Former minister Abdullah AL Noman, however, on Thursday told reporters that Oli will not be a problem at all for the BNP.

Khulna City Mayor Sheikh Tayabur Rahman and Majedul Islam might join the LDP or stand as independent candidate if they fail to be on the BNP ticket for the election slated for January 23.

At a press briefing last week, Tayabur said he might have to look to alternatives in case of his failing to win nomination. For the same seat, former whip Ashraf Hossain is the other strong contender for nomination.

Meanwhile, top leaders of three thana units of Khulna BNP have demanded nomination for central Publication Secretary Majedul Islam and said otherwise they will quit the party.

The immediate past ruling party will have trouble in Comilla district as well as former lawmaker and minister Redwan Ahmed who has joined LDP says he will contest from at least three constituencies. Many local BNP leaders have already joined LDP.

Besides, former lawmaker from Comilla-10 Col (retired) Anwarul Azim might have trouble getting nomination this time as another former lawmaker ATM Alamgir and three more others want nomination for the same constituency.

Former chief whip Khandaker Delowar Hossain has been declared 'unwanted' by his party men in his constituency. On December 3, local leaders and activists brought out a procession against him. They keep calling for the party high command not to nominate him as the four-party candidate.

Eight leaders including former lawmaker Shammi Sher are adamantly opposed to former minister Harunur Rashid Khan Munnu's running for Manikganj-3. Recently, at a press conference they have announced that no matter what it takes they will resist Munnu.

In Cox's Bazar, district Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded nomination for their leader Shahjalal Chowdhury instead of former lawmaker and BNP leader Shahjahan Chowdhury.

The civil society members in the constituency of former lawmaker Mahfuzullah Farid have urged the political parties not to field him as a candidate in the upcoming general election.

Former lawmaker Zoinal Abedin Farukh and local BNP leader kazi Mofizur Rahman have been trying to secure nomination for the same seat in Noakhali and both the leaders said they will not make any concession in this regard.

While at least six candidates including former lawmaker Elen Bhutto submitting nomination form to the party for party ticket to contest in Jhalokhati-2 constituency.

At least eight people including former upazila chairman Tamijuddin and former lawmaker Sultana Ahmed are lobbying the party high command to win nomination for Dhaka-13, as former lawmaker from the seat, barrister Ziaur Rahman Khan, has joined the LDP.

Salahuddin Ahmed and Nabi Ullah Nabi of Demra Thana BNP are competing hard to win the party ticket for Dhaka-4.

BNP leaders and workers of Sirajganj-6 last Wednesday burnt an effigy of former lawmaker Major (retired) Manjur Quader. The local leaders have also declared him "unwanted". Chowhali thana BNP at a meeting on December 1 decided that they will not allow Manjur in the area. At least 11 leaders including former lawmaker Reza Ahmed Bachchu Molla want nomination from the party.

Former lawmaker Akmal Ibne Eusuf too has been declared persona non grata by the local leaders in Faridpur-4. Four other aspirants including district BNP President Zahir Uddin Shahjada Miah at a meeting on November 23 decided that they will not allow Akmal standing for the election due in January.

Leaders and workers of Kishoreganj district BNP including former lawmaker Ataur Rahman Khan and municipality chairman Abu Taher Miah have recently formed a committee "to save BNP" and urged the party high command not to nominate controversial former judge Rezaul Karim Chunnu.

Whip Rezaul Bari Dina and lawmaker Golam Mohammad Siraj are also facing resistance from inside the party in their areas in Bogra. Six top leaders of local BNP have united in opposition to Siraj while at least seven to Dina.