# BNP Vice Chairman Kaikobad’s Candidacy Sparks Concern Over Turkish Citizenship and Tk 19 Million Loan Case

> Following the election schedule announcement, scrutiny of candidates is underway ahead of the 12 February polls. BNP Vice Chairman and former Cumilla-3 MP Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad faces allegations of holding…

Published: 2026-01-15 · Desk: Latest · Source: NPB News

After the announcement of the election schedule, an election atmosphere is sweeping the country—from the grassroots to the centre. If all goes as planned, the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a referendum will be held on 12 February. At present, the final scrutiny of candidates is underway.

Meanwhile, several parliamentary candidates have come under discussion over allegations of loan default and dual citizenship. Among them is BNP Vice Chairman and former MP from Cumilla-3, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad. Questions have arisen in Muradnagar, Cumilla, over how he is contesting the election despite allegedly holding foreign citizenship.

An investigation by NPB News found that Kaikobad has obtained Turkish citizenship and possesses a Turkish passport. Documents obtained by NPB News show his Turkish national ID number as 50947890844 and passport number as U27633999, which list his birthplace as Cumilla, Bangladesh. His date of birth and signature on these documents exactly match those submitted in his election affidavit. The Turkish passport was issued in November 2022 and is valid until 2032.

The investigation further reveals that after returning to the country following the fall of the Awami League on 5 August—ending a 13-year absence—Kaikobad has also faced allegations of being a loan defaulter. According to a Bangladesh Bank Credit Information Bureau (CIB) report, a lawsuit involving loans worth Tk 190 crore has been filed against him, in which he is reportedly a guarantor.

Speaking to NPB News on condition of anonymity, a local voter from Muradnagar said that news of Kaikobad’s foreign citizenship card and passport has spread in the area. “There is a lot of speculation, but many are afraid to speak openly. If someone with foreign citizenship contests the election, it will raise serious questions about the Election Commission,” the voter said.

Attempts were made to contact Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad for comment. Despite multiple phone calls and a follow-up text message, he did not respond.

Supreme Court lawyer Mujahidul Islam Shahin told NPB News that if a candidate provides false or incomplete information in the election affidavit, the Returning Officer should not accept the nomination. “If it is proven that a candidate concealed information about holding citizenship of another country, his candidacy must be cancelled upon a formal complaint to the Election Commission,” he said.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam told NPB News, “I am not clearly aware of the matter. However, if such allegations are raised and a complaint is filed, the Election Commission will take action in accordance with the law.”

It is noteworthy that under Article 66 of the Constitution and Section 12 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972, a Bangladeshi citizen who acquires the citizenship of another country is not eligible to contest for a parliamentary seat due to dual citizenship, unless the foreign citizenship is formally renounced.

Original reporting: https://npbnews.com/political-news/bnp/16307
HTML: https://tezzfeed.com/latest-news/bnp-vice-chairman-kaikobads-candidacy-sparks-concern-over-turkish-citizenship-and-tk-19-million-loan-case-1768468253696
Bangladesh desk: https://tezzfeed.com/bangladeshi-news.md
Agent map: https://tezzfeed.com/llms.txt