Natore-3 (Singra Upazila) consists of 12 unions and a municipality. Natore-3 (Singra Upazila) consists of 12 unions and a municipality. The total number of voters in this seat is 3,64,382. The upcoming 12th national parliamentary election has become the subject of speculation among the candidates, leaders and activists of the Natore-3 constituency. Some of them have already started hanging various promotional banners and festoons.
Singra Upazila was once a strong base of BNP. But now the BNP is almost leaderless in the constituency. Besides, BNP has become cornered due to a leadership crisis and intra-party conflict. Three years have passed since the formation of Thana BNP convening committee, but the committee has failed to form a full-fledged committee till date. The situation has arisen for extreme intra-party conflict and schism. As a result, the leaders and activists of the party are extremely angry and frustrated.
The upazila BNP leaders are still dreaming of coming to power again. BNP potential candidates include three-time former member of Parliament Prof Kazi Golam Morshed, upazila BNP joint-convener Anwarul Islam Anu, district BNP former publicity secretary Farhad Ali Dewan Shaheen, Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Prajanma Dal's central general secretary and Supreme Court lawyer Advocate M Yusuf Ali, former vice-president of BNP Dr. Nazrul Islam.
In 2008, the current Minister of State for Information and Technology Advocate Junaid Ahmed Palak won this seat from Awami League. He has held the seat since then and is strengthening the party.
Although Awami League's position in this constituency is good, the conflict may arise over the formation of committee, leadership and power practice. It is expected that the nomination fight between several leaders, who are hoping for the nomination of Awami League in the next election, will be very intense.
Since BNP is not a strong opponent in this seat, it is now a matter of time to see who will secure the Boat ticket from Awami League in the next election. State Minister of ICT Palak is far ahead of others and he will seek nomination from Awami League as usual.
It is known that in 2008, the then General Secretary of District Awami League, Advocate Hanif Ali Sheikh, was nominated for this seat. But finally, Awami League changed its candidature and gave the nomination to Palak.
Shafiqul Islam Shafiq, former president of Singra Municipal Awami League and elected chairman of Upazila Parishad for two consecutive terms, will seek nomination of Awami League outside the Palak constituency. Shafiq was the president of Gol-e Afroz Government College Chhatra League in 1996 and elected VP of the same college student council in 1998. Before being elected chairman, he was also elected vice chairman of Singra Upazila Parishad in 2009. Shafiq is known as a strong and brave leader in the area.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did a lot for the development of Singra after the Awami League government came to power. Around 20,000 youths will be employed after the completion of four institutions in Chalanbil Digital Center.
Besides, Mizanur Rahman Mizan from Workers Party of Bangladesh will seek party nomination from this constituency in the next 12th parliamentary election. Mizanur Rahman is a member of the Central Committee of his party. He was the former upazila chairman. Besides, he was the first elected VP of Singra Gol-e-Afroz Government College. He has a clean image in the area.
Mizanur Rahman Mizan said that Bangladesh Workers Party will participate in the next 12th parliamentary elections. “ I will seek party nomination from this seat. We are keeping in touch with everyone ahead of the election. I have worked for the development of Singra people previously. I want to continue working in future too.
