More than half a dozen aspirants are working hard to get the ticket for by-election of Gaibandha-3. With a total of 811,854 voters, Gaibnadha-3 constituency encompasses Palashbari and Sadullapur Upazilas of the district which became vacant following the death of Awami League backed MP M Yunus Ali Sarker on December 27 of 2019.
On February 6, the Election Commission announced the by-election to Gaibandha-3 along with Dhaka-10 and Bagerhat-4 constituencies and fixed the voting to be held on March 21. As per the schedule, the deadline for nomination submission is February 19.
After the announcement of by-election, more than half a dozen candidates of ruling-Awami League(AL) have started intense lobbying to attract the graciousness of party chief, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for nomination while the BNP-led 20-party has lone candidate.
Among others former district AL leader and freedom fighter, Brig General (Rtd) Mahmudul Haque, General Secretary of AL’s associate peasants' body, Bangladesh Krishak League, also the former reserved seat lawmaker Umme Kulsum Smrity, deceased MP Yunus Ali Sarker’s son Dr Faisal Yunus are lobbying hard to get the party nomination.
According to party insiders of Bangladesh Awami League, more than half a dozen aspirants from AL are being discussed as the possible candidate for the by-polls of Gaibandha-3 constituency. However, everything is depending on the decision of the President of ruling Awami League, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, party sources said.
Brig General (Rtd) Mahmudul Haque is unrivalled as initially he got nomination form AL but finally gave ground to the Jatiyo Party’s Candidate, during the ninth parliamentary election. His utmost devotion to party’s decision along with his clean image and close connection at the remotest portion of Palashbari and Shadullapur upozila are also being considered with gravity.
A source informed, the Parliamentary Election Board of Awami League is set to finalize the party’s candidate for Gaibandha-3 by-polls and suggested to wait until February 15, for the formal declaration.