The Sunamganj-5 constituency is known as an AL stronghold, which includes Chhatak and Dowarabazarupazilas of Sunamganj district.
Since 1973, AL candidates have been elected five times, the Jatiya Party two times, Independent two times, the BNP one time and the JatiyaSamajtantrik Dal one time.
Mohibur Rahman Manik of ruling AL has been representing in the National Parliament from Sunamganj-5 constituency since 2008.
The local leaders and workers of AL were divided into various factions that continued fueling the intra-party feud in the Sunamganj-5 constituency.
Row between incumbent lawmaker Mohibur Rahman Manik and Chhatak municipality Mayor AbulKalam has taken a serious turn in the local politics of AL of Sunamganj-5 constituency, local politicians and members of civil society said.
So, the ruling AL has got enough to worry about the next poll in this constituency. The ruling AL will have to struggle to have a single Member of Parliament (MP) candidate for Sunamganj-5 constituency due to intra-party feud inside the local party politics.
The incumbent lawmaker Mohibur Rahman Manik has already declared that he would seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
Mohibur Rahman Manik has built up his reputation as an honest politician, locals say, adding the MP has worked very hard to develop the area.
Talking to reporters Mohibur Rahman Manik said numerous development projects have been implemented in the last 14 years and eight months.
He says he is confident about victory if the party gives him the nomination.
“The government had taken different pragmatic steps for improving the living condition of the people in haor areas. I’m confident I will again get party ticket to contest the next poll,” he told reporters.
He added the present government ensured providing all services, including digital ones, to the doorsteps of the common people in the haor region.
“The party (AL) has given me for six times. I want to complete the unfinished work. People here love me and they want see me MP again,” he added.
Apart from Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury, Sunamganj district unit AL Joint General Secretary and younger brother of Chhatak municipality Mayor AbulKalam will seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury said he will seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
“People don’t have any confidence in the incumbent MP. Besides, he (Mohibur Rahman Manik) has no contribution to development of our constituency. The incumbent lawmaker doesn’t evaluate the dedicated and tested leaders and workers. Therefore, nobody likes him,” he said.
Replying to a query Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury said people want to see a change here.
“On the other hand, people are the source of my confidence. They want to see me as their representativein the parliament. I think the high command will consider the issue and nominate me to contest the next poll,” he added.
Besides, Dowarabazar upazila AL joint convener Farid Ahmed Tareque and UK based AL leader AyubKarom Ai will also seek party nomination to contest the 12th parliamentary poll.
On the other hand, Sunamganj district unit BNP President and former MP Kalim Uddin Ahmed, BNP leader and former upazila Chairman Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury and Sunamganj district unit BNP former Vice-President Syed Munsif Ali have expressed their willingness to contest the next general election from Sunamganj-5 constituency.
Talking to journalists former BNP MP Kalim Uddin Ahmed said the ruling party lawmakers and his associate looted public money in the named development work.
“Most of roads are in bad shape here as the incumbent lawmaker did not take any step to repair them. If BNP joins poll, I shall seek party nomination to contest the next general election. And I’m hopeful that people will boycott the looters and elect me MP again,” he said.
Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury said he has been working since long to rejuvenate the BNP’s organisational activities at grassroots level.
“I shall seek my party nomination to contest the next poll if BNP joins the upcoming general election. And, I’m confident I will win the seat Inshallah,” he said.
On the other hand, Nazmul Huda Himel, son of former Sunamganj district unit Jatiya Party President and former MP Abdul Majid will seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
Executive Member of Jatiya Party central committee Jahangir Alam will also seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
Sylhet Jatiya Party Joint Secretary Abul Hassan and UK-based Jatiya Party leader Ruhul Amin will also seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
Nazmul Huda Himel said his father’s (Abdul Majid) contribution to Jatiya Party was unique.
“This constituency is known as Jatiya Party’s stronghold. Like my father I also want to work for the people here. Therefore, I will seek party nomination to contest the next general election. I think party high command will evaluate me and give me the nomination,” he added.
All the nomination aspirants are holding views-exchange meetings, discussions and various programmes with grassroots leaders and activists to make them united and motivated for working for the candidates who will bag their respective party tickets.
As the general election approaches, the nomination seekers have started showdown through meetings and mass contacts.
They have set up big banners and posters at the important points in the constituency, intersections of highways and road, and on boundary walls.
Containing the images of the candidates of various colourful posters have already been pasted across the constituency.
Candidates are also travelling different parts of the constituency as part of their hectic electioneering.
They are also using the photographs of their respective political parties’ chiefs in their posters.