The Bogura constituency- 6 is known as Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) stronghold since 1979 as the party and its main ally Jamaat had won this seat in most general elections.
Apart from this seat, all the constituencies of Bogura district are also known as BNP bastions.
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.
But, now General Secretary of Bogura district Awami League Ragebul Ahsan Ripuris representing the Bogura constituency- 6 as a lawmaker in the JatiyaSangsad.
The constituency encompasses BoguraSadar Upazila. In Bogura-6 constituency, there are a total of 4, 14,730 voters.
The constituency was created for the first general elections in newly independent Bangladesh, held in 1973.
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 the Bogura constituency-6 in the next general elections.
The race for nomination has garnered significant hype as the aspirants believe the person elected as the Bogura constituency-6 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 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.
Apart from incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) Ragebul Ahsan Ripu, MonjurulAlam Mahon, joint general secretary of Bogura district unit of AL, Kohinur Mohan, a leader of Bangladesh MohilaAwami League and T Zaman Niketa, Vice-President of Bogura district unit of AL are now passing busy days in order to get party nomination to contest the next general elections in the Bogura constituency- 6 as a lawmaker in the JatiyaSangsad.
Besides, Masudur Rahman Milon, Treasurer of Bogura district unit of AL and son of late Bogura district unit of AL President Momtaz Uddin Ahmed and Sultan Mahmud Khan Roni, Publicity and Publication Secretary of Bogura district unit of AL, are also working in the field to convince the party high command in order to get nomination.
The incumbent lawmaker and leader of AL talking to journalists said the people have full confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the country will be a developed one and also reach its targeted goal within the stipulated time under her leadership.
They said Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina has developed the country through poverty alleviation and as per the declaration of the premier the country will be a rich nation by 2041.
Therefore, construction works of the long-cherished Bogura-Sirajganj direct rail track is expected to start by this year end as land acquisition process has already begun.
The West Zone of Bangladesh railway is scheduled to construct the dual gauge railway route aimed at easing communication between the two districts
Besides, the Bogura Science and Technology University is set to open soon as per the law enacted 22 years ago.
The government has published a gazette declaring the existing law effective from May 22.
As a result of the implementation of the law, the university can now admit students in the current academic year.
Ragebul Ahsan Ripu said he will also seek his party’s nomination this time.
“I won the seat in the by-election. And I tried my level best to continue the development work in my constituency. Apart from Bogura Science and Technology University and construction works of the Bogura-Sirajganj direct rail track, I have also started the reconstruction of Fateh Ali Bridge over the Karatoya River at a cost of Tk 20 crore with an aim to reconnect four upazilas with Bogra city,” he said.
He added the Bangladesh Cricket Board is set to resume their cricketing activities at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium here.
On the other hand, BNP MP Gulam Mohammad Siraj, Convener of Bogura district unit of BNP, who resigned from the parliament last year, is maintaining constant communications with the party high command.
Besides, Rezaul Karim Badshah, President of Bogura district unit of BNP and mayor of Bogura municipality, Saiful Islam and Advocate Mahbubur Rahman former Presidents of Bogura district unit of BNP and former mayor of Bogura municipality, Ali AsgarHena, general secretary of Bogura district unit of BNP, MR Islam Shwadhin and Sarkar Badol will also seek party nomination if the BNP participates in the in the next general elections.
If Jamaat-e-Islami is allowed to take part in the next general election, Abidur Rahman Sohel, Amir of Bogura district unit of Jamaat will be the candidate for contesting the polls, according to local people.
JatiyaSamajtantrik Dal (JSD), Zaker Party and JatiyaGano Front Ganofront will also field their candidates in the upcoming national polls.
JatiyaSamajtantrik Dal leader Advocate EmdadulHaque may get the party ticket to contest the polls.
Besides, Maj Gen (retd) M Masudur Rahman Helal, former President of Sector Commanders’ Forum, is likely to contest the polls as an independent candidate.
AL candidate S M Sirajul Islam Suruj became the first lawmaker in the first general elections held in 1973 in the newly independent Bangladesh.
BNP candidates Wajed Hossain Tarafdar won the seat in 1979, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Abdur Rahman Fakir in 1986, Independent candidate Saifur Rahman Bhandari in 1988 and BNP candidate Mojibar Rahman in 1991.
Besides, MdZahurul Islam won the seat in by-polls in 1996, BNP candidate Khaleda Zia in 2001, BNP candidate Muhammad JamiruddinSircar in by-poll in 2009, Jatiya Party candidate Nurul Islam Omar in 2014, BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in 2018, BNP candidate Golam Mohammad Siraj in 2019 and AL candidate Ragebul Ahsan Ripu in by-election this year. Nurul Islam Omar was elected unopposed in the 2014 general election after opposition parties withdrew their candidacies in a boycott of the election.
Khaleda Zia stood for three seats in the 2008 general election: Bogra-6, Bogra-7, and Feni-1. After winning all three, she chose to represent Feni-1 and quit the other two, triggering by-elections in them.
Muhammad JamiruddinSircar of the BNP was elected in an April 2009 by-election.
In the 1996 general elections, Khaleda Zia stood for five seats in Bogura-6 Bogra-7, Feni-1 Lakshmipur-2 and Chattogram-1.
After winning all five, she chose to represent Feni-1 and quit the other four, triggering by-elections in them.
Md. Zahurul Islam of the BNP was elected in a September 1996 by-election.
Country’s people know the upcoming general election will be a challenge as various conspiracies are being orchestrated before the polls.
Bangladesh is likely to hold a general election in December this year or in January next year.
The ruling AL wants BNP’s participation in the next general election.
All think the next parliamentary polls will not be participatory unless BNP joins the election.
