With hardly six months to go for the national elections, enthusiastic political activists, supporters, leaders and general public are found taking part in casual discussions on who to vote and predicting the polls results.
Except the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), local leaders of Awami League (AL), Jatiya Party, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Jatiya Party and other political party potential candidates have already begun lobbying for party nomination to contest the upcoming national election from Thakurgaon constituency-1.
To drum up support the respective candidates are also found greeting local people in advance and wishing them ‘Eid Mubarak’ on the occasion of just ended Eid-ul-Azha festival.
Meanwhile, the leaders of AL, BNP, Jatiya Party and other political parties have started preparing the ground for the upcoming parliamentary elections as the next elections will be very competitive.
This constituency is known as a strong-hold of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as he was born in this constituency.
BNP, however, is focused on drumming up support for a non-partisan election-time government under which they may agree to participate in the up-coming general parliamentary polls.
Therefore, though the two major political camps remain rigid on their stances over the contentious issue of polls-time administration, they are making preparations for the 12th parliamentary election.
The ruling AL leader Ramesh Chandra Sen is representing in the National Parliament from Thakurgaon constituency-1. The constituency encompasses ThakurgaonSadar Upazila.
In Thakurgaon -1 (ThakurgaonSadar Upazila) constituency, there are a total of 4,54,718 voters. The constituency was created in 1984 when the former Dinajpur District was split into three districts: Panchagarh, Thakurgaon and Dinajpur.
Jatiya Party candidate RezwanulHaqueIdu Chowdhury became the first lawmaker in the constituency in 1986 and he also won the seat in the general elections in 1988.
Later AL candidate Khademul Islam contested the national polls in 1990 and became the lawmaker from the constituency.
BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam contested the February’s general elections in 1996 which was boycotted by the then opposition AL.
But, the AL candidate Khademul Islam contested the June’s general election in the same year (1996) and became the Member of Parliament (MP) again.
Ramesh Chandra Sen was elected MP from Thakurgaon-1 constituency in the by-election in 7th national polls and also the 9th national parliamentary election in 2008.
But the BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir again regained the constituency in the general elections held in 2001.
If BNP joins the elections, activists and local people believe competition, between the AL candidate and BNP candidate will be fierce.
According to party insiders, incumbent lawmaker Ramesh Chandra Sen, also former minister of water resources is likely to get party ticket while Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of BNP is expected to get his party nomination.
Therefore, Ramesh Chandra Sen and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir are expected to steal the election show in Thakurgaon (cons-1). People are now eagerly waiting to see whether Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir or Ramesh Chandra Sen will win the next general elections.
BNP leaders believe they will be able to gain public support through their amicable behaviour. However, Ramesh claims 90% people are supporting AL in the constituency.
The ruling party supporters think they will get votes from 120,000 Hindu people who also live in the areas. However, BNP leaders said Mirza Fakhrul has many childhood friends from this minority community. Fakhrul contested five times from this constituency but won once in 2001.
He was defeated by Awami League’s Ramesh in the 2008 election. However, political analysts think this time the scenario is different.
Analysts assume that Ramesh will get votes from the Hindu community and Fakhrul will bag votes from Jamaat-e-Islami alongside his own party activists.
Apart from Ramesh Chandra Sen, Mohammad SadekQuraishi, President of Thakurgaon district unit of AL and Chairman of ThakurgaonZilaParishad, Dipak Kumar Roy, General Secretary of Thakurgaon district unit of AL, Golam FarukRubel, Joint General Secretary of Thakurgaon district unit of AL, ArunangshaDatta Tito, President of Thakurgaonsadar upazila unit of AL and chairman of the upazila are expected to seek party nomination to contest in the 12th national election from this constituency.
Besides, Abdul Mazid Apple, President of Thakurgaon district unit of Juba League, Advocate IndraNath Roy, Law Affairs Secretary of Thakurgaon district unit of AL, TahminaAktarMolla, former President of Thakurgaon district of Mohila AL and Shahedul Islam, son of former lawmaker Khademul Islam will also seek nomination to contest the polls.
However, preferring not to be named, many AL leaders and workers said that due to Ramesh Chandra Sen’s alleged connections to corrupt local leaders and reportedly biased political stances against anyone opposing his decisions and leadership, local veteran leaders and grassroots-level party workers are believed to be on the hunt for an alternative nominee.
“The people of Thakurgaon 1 constituency demand change,” echoing the same voice the leaders said.
But, talking to journalist the incumbent lawmaker Ramesh Chandra Sen rejected outright the allegations brought against him, saying like other parts of the country tremendous development took place in the Thakurgaon constituency-1.
“We have upgraded the Thakurgaon Modern Sadar Hospital to 250 beds. The ruling Awami League should come to the power once again as it always works for the development of the country and the welfare of its people,” he said.
He said Ziaur Rahman, Ershad and Khaleda Zia were absorbed in luxury when they came to power.
“Their goal was to stay in power and hence they could not do any work for the development of our constituency and the welfare of the people,” he said.
“However, under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the country is moving forward in development and progress. That is why, AL needs to come to power again to continue this trend. And I’m confident if I get nomination and contest the next general elections I will win,” Ramesh Chandra Sen said.
“However, no matter what, we will abide by our party’s decision and work for the nominated candidate,” he added.
On the other hand, there is no alternative to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in Thakurgaon constituency-1
Talking to journalists Thakurgaon District BNP President Taimur Rahman said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will be the sole contender if BNP participates in the next general elections, boosting the confidence of local BNP supporters and activists.
