The BNP is preparing for the parliamentary elections. Ahead of the polls, the party is working at full throttle to finalize its candidates. Ending all speculation the BNP has at last finalized its candidates for the Cumilla district.
Party sources indicate that the BNP aims to complete the candidate finalization process before the announcement of the election schedule. BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has stated that those candidates who, during the previous Awami League government's tenure, colluded with Awami League MPs and ministers, endangered party workers for personal gain, amassed millions through contracting businesses, and neglected party workers will not receive nominations for the 13th Parliament elections. A competition to build one's own sphere of influence is underway, centered on implementing Tarique Rahman's declared 31-point guidelines.
In the six parliamentary constituencies of Comilla – Comilla Adarsha Sadar, Sadar Dakshin – there is extreme tension between two advisors of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. One is Hajji Aminur Rashid Yaseen, a former convener of Comilla South district BNP and a field-level 'Tegi' leader. Despite the harassment, false cases, and attacks during the previous Awami League government, he did not abandon the party workers in Comilla. He has long kept the party workers of Comilla's six constituencies motivated, kept the party organized, and stood by them in times of trouble.
The other is Khaleda Zia's advisor, Alhaj Monirul Haque Chowdhury. After the fall of the previous Awami League government, he, along with his party workers from Sadar Dakshin and Lalmai upazilas, fought for the full reinstatement of the former Comilla-9 constituency. Having failed in that effort, he has announced his intention to run from the Comilla Sadar constituency. In the BNP's policymaking committee, Hajji Aminur Rashid Yaseen is still being discussed as the final candidate for the Sadar seat.
Also at the center of discussion is Hasan Abdullah of the NCB, who has been considered for the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency, where the BNP reportedly lacks a strong candidate.
In five parliamentary constituencies, Hajji Jasim Uddin, known as a 'Tegi' leader and considered highly trusted by Tarique Rahman, is a key figure. Meanwhile, Mizanur Rahman, a former chairman of Burichang Upazila Parishad known as a 'friend of the poor,' is also under discussion in BNP's policy circles.
For Comilla-9 (Laksam-Monohargonj), the BNP's single candidate is Abul Kalam, popularly known as 'Chaiti Kalam,' a close friend of Tarique Rahman. During the previous Awami League government, he could not even visit his own village in Pashapur, Laksam. He has been a victim of false cases and torture orchestrated by former Minister Tajul Islam's brother-in-law and Upazila Vice-Chairman Mahbub Ali.
In Comilla-8 (Borurad), Zakaria Taher Sumon, whose residence is in Gulshan, Dhaka, is considered 100% finalized as a candidate. He is the President of Comilla South district BNP; his father, the late Abu Taher, was a BNP-supported MP in 2001.
For Comilla-3 (Muradnagar), former MP Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, who did not visit the area during the 16 years of the previous Awami League government and managed his business in Saudi Arabia, is a candidate. He and about 300 BNP leaders and workers have been victims of false cases filed by Awami League MP Yousuf Abdullah Harun. After the fall of the Awami League government, he has occasionally attended party meetings in the upazila from Dhaka. As there is no other influential BNP candidate here, his candidacy is considered final. He will be challenged in the election by advisor Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan.
Comilla-1 (Daudkandi-Meghna) comprises two upazilas. The former Health Minister, in charge of Comilla district, and former teacher at Dhaka University, Dr. Khondaker Mosharraf Hossain, who could not visit the area during the previous Awami League regime and failed to maintain contact with his party workers, has been finalized as the candidate, despite the presence of multiple other aspirants.
In Comilla-2 (Homna-Titas), Professor Selim Bhuiya, who currently serves as a BNP divisional secretary, is a key figure. Since the death of former Agriculture Minister the late MK Anwar, the BNP has failed to field a strong candidate here in the past.
Comilla-10 (Nangalkot-Lalmai) consists of two upazilas. Grassroots party workers here allege that former MP Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan colluded with former Finance Minister AMA Muhith during the last government, doing business and amassing millions of Taka, while neglecting his party workers. Many became victims of false cases and could not visit the area for the past 16 years. Former MP Alhaj Monirul Haque Chowdhury has also announced his intention to run from this constituency.
Comilla-11 comprises one upazila, forming a single parliamentary seat. During the tenure of former Railway Minister Mujibul Haque, an 'autocracy' was established here; no BNP worker could sleep at home, and 5-7 party workers were driven out of the area through false cases. BNP's single candidate here is Mohammad Kamrul Huda. He will be contested by this constituency's former MP and a central leader of Jamaat-e-Islami's policymaking body, Dr. Syed Mohammad Abdullah Taher.
On the other hand, in Comilla-7 (Chandina), considered an Awami League vote bank, the BNP has failed to field a strong candidate in the past. As they have no candidate for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election here, former Minister and LDP Secretary General Dr. Redwan Ahmed will contest the election from the LDP.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that candidates in many constituencies will be changed. Internal conflict has emerged in most of Cumilla's 11 constituencies ahead of the elections.
In a related development, BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to return to the country next November. Party members and associate bodies are getting organized, buoyed by the hope of his return.
