As the days the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Election are nearing, a huge interest is being noticed among the voters about the possible candidates in the elections from both the ruling and the opposition parties in the Satkhira-4 constituency.
The Satkhira-4 constituency comprised 20 unions of Shyamnagar and Kaliganj (part) upazilas. Nearly two dozens of candidates from both the ruling AL-led alliance and the opposition BNP-led alliance have already started massive lobbying at the centre to get nominations to contest the upcoming JS polls. These possible nominees are now spending a busy time campaigning in their areas.
Already, the names of many possible candidates have been heard. Many of these possible candidates are also trying to introduce themselves to the voters by pasting coloured banners and posters with their photos in the constituency. As the days of the elections are nearing, a huge presence of voters including local political leaders and activists and the possible candidates is seen in the local hats, bazars and tea-stalls of every road crossings. Their main topic of discussion is who are the possible candidates to contest the MP elections from parties in the constituency.
Meanwhile, at least four candidates from the ruling AL-led alliance are in discussion about bagging the nomination from the centre. AL-led alliance candidate has been in power for the three consecutive times in the constituency. As a result, there has been huge development in the areas. Many new roads, drains, pools, culverts, schools, colleges, madrasahs, mosques and temples have been constructed at the initiatives of the incumbent lawmaker in the constituency. Many people of the constituency are also receiving allowances including educational, health, elderly aged, disabled, maternity and freedom fighters' allowances during the rule of the incumbent MP SM Zaglul Haider.
Among others, those who are trying to bag nominations are district Organising Secretary of AL Shafiul Alam Lenin, General Secretary of Shyamnagar upazila Awami League SM Ataul Haque Dolon and Vice-President of Kaliganj upazila AL Syed Mehedi. AHM Golam Reza, former MP and Central Member of Bikalpadhara is also a possible nomination seeker from the AL-led alliance. But, the grassroots-level leaders and activists of the constituency want a partisan ( AL) candidate, not any candidate from the alliance. They opined, there is no alternative to the partisan candidate to continue the present trend of development in the constituency.
On the other hand, the BNP-led opposition alliance is in the field both with the movement and the elections. The BNP-led alliance leaders are trying to regain the lost seat again by convincing the voters to cast votes in their favour to get rid of the unprecedented skyrocketing price-hike, bribes, corruption, harassment in government offices and disparities during the rule of the incumbent government. The alliance has been able to resolve the internal feuds and keep the party leaders and activists united to start a movement against the government and thus win the seat by weakening the ruling party candidate.
There are also at least four possible candidates from the BNP-led alliance. They are- the convener of district BNP Advocate Syed Iftekhar Ali, BNP Central Committee Member, former MP Kazi Alauddin and former MP from Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Gazi Nazrul Islam.
However, none of the candidates from the BNP-led alliance is seen to start campaign for vote. The alliance leaders are waiting for the decision from the party headquarters. They are learnt to hold 'in house' meetings and discussions among themselves and are trying to occupy the polling field.
The local voters, however, opined that if the opposition BNP-led alliance participate in the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Elections, there will be a tough contest among the candidates.
In addition, there are some more possible nomination seekers from the constituency. They are- the incumbent MP, President of Shyamnagar Upazila AL SM Zaglul Haider, Joint Secretary of Italy Awami League Rony Ahmed, former President of Rokey Hall, DU, Chhatra League Masuda Khanan Medha, Central Organising Secretary of Jatiya Party Abdus Satter Morol, Self-reliant Affairs Secretary of BNP, UK unit, Moniruzzaman, Member of Kaliganj upazila AL and former ASP Ataur Rahman, vice-presidents of Shyamnagar upazila AL AKM Zafrul Alam Babu and Bakhtiar Ahmed, Central Organising Secretary of Jatiya Party Alhaj Abdus Satter Moral and JSD central committee Organising Secretary Ashek Elaihi. All of these possible nomination seekers are learnt to make contact with the local voters to win their support as candidates, if nominated by the concerned party high-ups.