Popular Bangladeshi singers Baby Naznin and Konok Chapa have formally entered the political arena by collecting nomination forms from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for reserved women’s seats in the forthcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament).
The nomination exercise began on 10 April at the BNP’s central headquarters in Nayapaltan, where application forms for reserved women’s seats were distributed among prospective candidates. The process marks an important stage in the party’s preparations for parliamentary representation under the constitutionally mandated quota system for women.
According to party sources, Konok Chapa has already submitted her nomination form for a seat linked to Sirajganj-1 (Kazipur), signalling her active intent to secure a position in parliament. In contrast, Baby Naznin collected her nomination form for Nilphamari-4 (Saidpur and Kishoreganj) and is expected to submit it formally shortly thereafter. Both artistes are long associated with BNP-aligned political sentiment, and their participation has drawn considerable public attention.
Nomination Status Overview
| Candidate | Profession | Constituency / Seat | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Naznin | Singer | Nilphamari-4 (Saidpur & Kishoreganj) | Form collected, submission pending |
| Konok Chapa | Singer | Sirajganj-1 (Kazipur) | Form submitted |
After collecting her nomination form, Baby Naznin said her decision to seek political office is rooted in nearly four decades of ideological alignment with the party and a desire to contribute to national development. She emphasised that her political journey has consistently reflected loyalty to party directives and that she intends to continue working within that framework.
“I have followed the party’s decisions for the past forty years and will continue to do so. My aim is to work for the country and contribute to the development of the younger generation,” she stated, underlining her commitment to public service alongside her established music career.
Baby Naznin is widely regarded as one of the most prominent voices in Bangladeshi playback and modern music, with a career spanning several decades and a strong cultural following. Her entry into parliamentary politics is being viewed as a notable crossover from entertainment to public representation, a trend increasingly observed in South Asian politics.
Similarly, Konok Chapa expressed optimism after submitting her nomination papers, stating that her long-standing dedication to the party is expected to be recognised. However, she also stressed that she would respect any final decision taken by the BNP leadership, reinforcing her adherence to internal party discipline.
The BNP’s selection process for reserved women’s seats is expected to play a key role in shaping its parliamentary strength in the upcoming session. These seats are allocated proportionally based on party representation in the directly elected house, with final nominations determined by party leadership.
The entry of high-profile cultural figures into the political nomination race has added renewed public interest to the process. Supporters argue that such personalities can enhance public engagement and bring fresh perspectives into parliament, while critics question whether celebrity status can translate into legislative effectiveness and policy expertise.
As the selection process continues, attention remains firmly focused on the BNP leadership’s final list and whether both singers will ultimately secure a place in the next parliament under the reserved seat framework.