Campaign for the next general elections has begun in the Kishoreganj-2 like in other constituencies in the country.
Leaders of different political parties including Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have started campaigning to get party nominations to contest the next general election from Kishoreganj-2 constituency.
They have stepped up campaigns in a bid to convince their party high-ups for nominations as the general election approaches nearer.
Although BNP senior leaders are saying that it is not possible for their party to join the next national election under the current AL government, party leaders along with their workers and supporters are now also busy in campaigning for the national poll.
However, leaders and activists of BNP are waiting for the party’s high command decision. Besides, leaders of Jatiya Party are not sitting idle as they are seen active in the locality. So, the party (Jatiya Party) is also set to field its candidate to contest the next general election. The candidates are seen meeting voters irrespective of age, sex and creed and caste with leaflets to drum up support for them.
Flanked by a large number of party leaders and workers the Member of Parliament (MP) contestants are also seen meeting people seeking their support.
Therefore, local leaders of AL, BNP, Jatiya Party and other political parties have already begun lobbying for party nomination to contest the upcoming national election in their constituency. They are also greeting the local people and wishing them on various occasions.
Meanwhile, several parts of the constituency got a new look with huge posters, banners and festoons. Nur Mohammad of the ruling AL has been representing in the National Parliament from Kishoreganj-2 constituency since 2018. The constituency encompasses Katiadi, and Pakundia upazilas. Once this seat was known as BNP bastions.
But, feuds between incumbent MP Nur Mohammad and former lawmaker and Pakundia upazila AL convener Mohammad Suhrab Uddin has taken a serious turn in the local politics of AL in the constituency ahead of the national poll, local politicians and members of civil society said.
The feuds have been there over the years to take control of AL politics in the locality. So, the ruling AL has got enough to worry about the next poll in this constituency.
The party failure to choose right candidate, intra-party feud at local level and political clout of AL high-ups are key factors for making the organisational activities in Kishoreganj-2 vulnerable, locals said. The incumbent lawmaker Nur Mohammad will seek party nomination to contest the next general election. Talking to reporters Nur Mohammad said he is working to resolve intra-party conflict.
“I talked to the district and central AL leaders about the intra-party conflict and requested them to resolve the issue immediately,” he said.
Replying to a query, Nur Mohammad, also the former Inspector General of Police, said, “People love him.”
“I’m blessed with people’s love here. So, I will never betray them. People of my constituency have elected me as their MP. I will seek party nomination again to contest the next general election. And I believe people will cast their votes in favour of me again,” he said.
Apart from him (Nur Mohammad) former lawmaker Mohammad Suhrab Uddin will also seek party nomination to contest the upcoming general election.
Mohammad Suhrab Uddin alleged that he was not allowed to take part in any national day or party programme.
“When I along with AL leaders and workers go to pay homage marking the national days or other national events, they try to prevent. It is very unfortunate. I will seek party nomination to contest the next general election. And I’m confident that I will win the seat,” Mohammad Suhrab Uddin said.
Professor Deen Mohammad Nurul Haque, one of the closest physicians to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
Dr Deen Mohammad, also former Director General of the Department of Health and eminent ophthalmologist has taken charge of the health services of the people of South Kishoreganj.
He always stays with the helpless and destitute through his 'Deen Mohammad Foundation' for the health care of the people of South Kishoreganj.
For that purpose, an eye camp has been organized at Hosendi Union of Pakundia Police Station marking the birth centenary of Father of the National Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Independence Day.
Selected patients are undergoing free cataract surgery at Deen Eye Hospital in Kishoreganj.
Local people said that Dr Deen Mohammad Nurul Haque has been bringing helpless and distressed cataract blind patients from his constituency Kishoreganj-2 to Dhaka in a micro-bus to give them free cataract surgery and necessary medicine.
The operation was performed twice a month for 25 people. All these expenses were borne by the Deen Mohammad Foundation.
The whole process is complicated and costly. However, due to the Corona epidemic, the activity was stopped for the last two years. Therefore, common people want to see Deen Mohammad as their MP in the next general election.
“We believe Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina will evaluate a personality like Deen Mohammad for his tireless work for the poor. We people here love him very much. Apart from treatment, he always stays with us especially during any crisis,” a villager said.
Besides, Kishoreganj district AL general secretary MA Afzal and Pakundia upazila chairman Mohammad Rafiqul Islam will seek party (AL) nomination to contest the next general election.
The AL leaders claimed that they are working together for the development of the country and welfare of the people.
They are also upholding the country’s existing development spree alongside making the party (AL) stronger and well-organised at the grassroots so that it could remain in power to keep running the continuity of development.
On the other hand, Kishoreganj district BNP joint general secretary Shahiduzzaman Kakon, central Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal committee’s assistant religious affairs secretary Razib Kumar Ghos, Pakundia upazila BNP convener Jalal Uddin Ahmed and former lawmaker major (Retd) Akhtaruzzaman Ranjon will seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
Besides, Kishoreganj district BNP former vice-president Ashfaq Ahmed will also seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
On the other hand, a certain section of common people, including young voters, are taking interest in electioneering of candidates, having achieved to gain the confidence that the election will be held in a peaceful, credible and competitive manner.
However, the expected level of election excitement, what should have been witnessed by this time, is still missing as all the political parties are still not there in the field with their full strength.