At least three ruling Awami League (AL) leaders, including incumbent lawmaker Nazrul Islam Chowdhury are scrambling for the party ticket from the Chattogram-14 constituency to contest the next general election.
Besides, one leader from Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Oli Ahmed, President of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and many other politicians are also interested in contesting the next national election.
The political leaders have already started their efforts in the area, with many engaging in lobbying and seeking favours from the central committee.
Nazrul Islam Chowdhury of AL has been representing his party in the National Parliament from Chattogram-14 constituency since 2014.
The constituency encompasses Chandanaishupazila and six union parishads of SatkaniaUpazila: Bazalia, Dharmapur, Kaliais, Keochia, Khagaria, Puranagar.
This constituency is known as a BNP-Jamaat stronghold since 1979 as the party (BNP) and its main ally Jamaat had won this seat in most general elections.
Military dictator General Ziaur Rahman, after the tragic murder of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members, illegally seized state power through a ‘yes or no’ vote without any prior meetings, processions, or campaigns.
Later he formed the BNP illegally, bypassing state policies, while holding positions in the army and as president.
The constituency was created for the first general elections in newly independent Bangladesh, held in 1973.
Ahead of the 2008 general election, the Election Commission redrew constituency boundaries to reflect population changes revealed by the 2001 Bangladesh census.
The 2008 redistricting altered the boundaries of the constituency.
Ahead of the 2014 general election, the Election Commission renumbered the seat for Chattogram-16 (Sandwip) to Chattogram 3, bumping up by one the suffix of the former constituency of that name and higher numbered constituencies in the district.
Thus Chattogram-14 covers the area previously covered by Chittagong-13.
Previously Chattogram-14 encompassed Lohagara and all but seven union parishads of Satkania: Bazalia, Dharmapur, Kaliais, Keochia, Khagaria, Puranagar, and Sadaha.
Incumbent AL Member of Parliament (MP) Nazrul Islam Chowdhury will seek party nomination to contest the next parliament election.
Nazrul Islam Chowdhury contested the general election held in 2014 and became the MP for the first time.
He (Nazrul Islam) also contested the national poll held in 2018 and won the seat again.
Therefore, he has already proved his popularity in the constituency.
Talking to journalists, Nazrul Islam Chowdhury said he has been an active member of the party, and is serving the people of his constituency for 9 years and seven months as an MP.
“My constituency has achieved tremendous development in the last ten years. And I’m working hard to bring a smile to my constituency’s people's faces. I’ve been involved in all party programmes and activities instructed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and all leaders and the people know about it. Therefore, I’m confident I will get my party ticket again to contest the next general poll,” the incumbent MP said.
Apart from him, Mafizur Rahman, General Secretary of Chattogram district (South) unit of AL also expressed his willingness to seek party nomination to contest the upcoming general election.
“Everyone in Chattogram-14 constituency knows me. I’m working tirelessly for my party. I’m doing everything I can politically. Therefore, I will seek party nomination to contest the next general polls. Whatever my leader Sheikh Hasina decides will be final. However, I shall pick up a nomination form,” Mafizur Rahman said.
Barrister Imtiaz Uddin Ahmad Asif, member of Agriculture and Cooperative Affairs Sub Committee of AL, will also seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
Imtiaz Uddin Ahmad Asif said he has built his relationship with the locals through his political activities.
“People love me and want to see me as an MP as they have faith in me,” he added.
On the other hand, Chattogram City unit BNP Convener DrShahadat Hossain will seek party nomination to contest the next general election if BNP joins the poll.
Oli Ahmed, President of LDP will contest the next general poll from Chattogram-14 constituency.
Oli Ahmad was elected as a MP for the first time in March 1980, second time on 27 February 1991, third time on 15 February 1996, fourth time on 12 June 1996, fifth time on 01 October 2001 and sixth time on 29 December 2008.
However, before the 2008 election, LDP came out of the grand alliance and contested the elections on its own.
Therefore, Oli Ahmad has always had an influence in the constituency, according to locals.
Although the BNP is yet to make a decision to join the next parliamentary elections, many BNP leaders are silently making preparations for the polls.
The BNP leaders and workers are contacting about the elections and looking for a way to participate in the elections.
Therefore, leaders of ruling AL, BNP, JatiyaSamajtantrik Dal and Jamaat are scrambling for the party ticket to run for Chattogram-14 in the next general elections.
The race for nomination has garnered significant hype as the aspirants believe the person elected as the Chattogram-14 lawmaker will have a tough time gaining party backing for the12th national election.
Lobbying for party tickets and mass contact to secure votes by aspirants are going on simultaneously as the constituency has been gripped by election fever.
Local leaders of different political parties, including the ruling AL, have also started shows of strength through meetings and mass contacts.
Except BNP and Jamaat, leaders of other political parties including AL have set up big banners and posters at the important points in the constituency, intersections of highways and roads, and on boundary walls.
