Dhaka: Though the supporters of their some ‘nomination deprived’ aspirants are expressing anger, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said party leaders and activists will work together for the candidates of ‘Sheaf of Paddy’.

‘There’re some reactions among the party leaders and activists over the nominations. There’s nothing new. Those who have finally been picked as candidates are very popular and have close relations with the people of their respective areas,’ he said, reports the UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi further said, ‘Our leaders and activists are with the candidates who are getting the Sheaf of Paddy, and will remain so in the days to come.’

Earlier in the morning, the supporters of BNP international affairs secretary ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon staged demonstration in front of the party’s central office as he was not given the final nomination from Chandpur-1 seat.

At one stage, they also locked into a fight at the main gate of the BNP office registering their protest against depriving Milon of the party ticket.

They also talked to Rizvi and expressed their anger as party leader Mosharraf Hossain was made candidate for Chandpur-1 instead of Milon, now in jail.

On Friday night, BNP’s late secretary general Khandaker Dewar Hossain’s son Abdul Hamid Dablu along with his supporters demonstrated in front of BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office as SA Jinnah Kabir was given party nomination from Manikganj-1 depriving him.

At the press conference, Rizvi hoped that their chairperson’s nomination will be announced valid by the Election Commission (EC) after appeal hearing.

He alleged that the returning officers unlawfully cancelled the three nominations of their chairpersons as part of a government’s ‘plot’.

‘We urge the Election Commission to ensure justice for Khaleda Zia. She’ll surely get back her candidature if the EC take fair decision following the Constitution and laws,’ the BNP leader said.

He also called upon the Commission to take steps for ensuring a level-playing field and stopping the arrest of opposition leaders and activists.