Dhaka, Dec. 27 -- Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan formally joined the BNP on Saturday, leaving his party to contest the upcoming national election with the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol.

Rashed Khan joined the BNP at its chairperson's Gulshan office in the afternoon by presenting a bouquet to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

The BNP has nominated Rashed Khan to contest the election from the Jhenaidah-4 constituency, comprising Jhenaidah Sadar and Kaliganj upazilas, using the party's electoral symbol.

Welcoming him, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Rashed Khan's joining will strengthen the party.

"Rashed Khan has joined the BNP today (Saturday). I congratulate him. The BNP has decided to nominate him as ...