A number of MP aspirants from both Awami League and BNP are trying to woo the high command of their respective parties to get ticket for by-polls in Bogura-1 constituency. BNP wants to recover the seat, as Bogura is a stronghold for them. On the other hand, Awami League wants to retain the seat for the fourth time. So, the aspirants are now carrying out mass contact at Sariakandi and Shonatola upazilas.
The seat became vacant following the death of the three-time MP from the seat Abdul Mannan on January 18. However, the declaration for the by-polls has not been announced yet. Names of Abdul Mannan’s wife and only are being heard among the MP aspirants of Awami League. Followers of the late MP want Shadara Mannan, to get AL ticket for the by-polls as she has worked for Upazila AL unit as well as in the Zila Parishad.
Sariakandi UZ AL unit Joint General Secretary Motiur Rahman said the possibility of Mannan’s family members being nominated is high and it is necessary for retaining the seat also. The other aspirants hoping to get nomination from AL are President of US AL unit Siddikur Rahman, Shecchasebak League leader M. Abdur Razzak and Sarikandi Municipal Mayor Alamgir Shahi Sumon.
Similarly, BNP aspirants are also trying hard to persuade their party high command to get nomination, as they want to regain their power over this seat. BNP leader and former MP Alhaj Kaji Rafiqul Islam is a major aspirant for BNP and party members are already campaigning for him in the area.
However, GS of Zia Shishu-Kishore organisation’s central committee Mosharraf Hossain Choudhury, Shonatola BNP unit president AKM Ahsanul Toyab Zakir and Bogura DAB President Dr. Shah Md. Shahjahan Ali are also hoping to gain BNP’s ticket for the by-polls. Sariakandi upazila Jatiya Party unit president Principal Moksedul Alam is the only aspirants for JP in the by-polls.
