In Mymensingh district, 11 parliamentary constituencies were supposed to get two MPs, but one MP was in the reserved seat in the 11th Parliament. Even before this, the district got a woman MP. This time, the leadership made a humble request to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to give two members of parliament from the district. Otherwise, women leaders will be deprived of the rights they deserve in the district. This time, at least 10 women leaders, including former and current MPs, have started running as MPs in reserved seats. There is supposed to be one reserved woman MP against every six MPs.
The Member of Parliament (MP) of the 11th Parliament are Monira Sultana Moni, former MP Fatema Johura Rani, wife of District Awami League President Ehteshamul Alam and Metropolitan Awami League Vice President Anwara Khatun, wife of District Awami League General Secretary Moazzem Hossain and District Awami League Women Affairs Secretary Professor Dilruba Sharmin, agriculturist. Dr. Samchun Nahar Parveen, Selima Sobhan, wife of former law minister late Abdul Matin Khosru, General Secretary of District Women's Awami League.
Selina Rashid, Member of District Awami League and Panel Chairman of District Council Arjuna Kabir, Senior Joint Convener of District Youth Women League Swapna Khandkar, Rabeya Sultana Dolly.
Candidates are contacting with local leaders as well as central leaders. They are trying to meet the top leaders of Awami League and express their intentions as well as seek their prayers.
Some of the women leaders who want to become MPs are appearing on social media. Monira Sultana Moni was the MP in the Mymensingh reserved seat in the 11th Parliament. She is the former VP of Muminunnisa Government Women's College.
Fatema Johura Rani was MP of the reserved seat in the 10th parliament in this district. She is a member of the district Awami League and the president of the district women's organization. She was the general secretary of District Women's Awami League for 19 years.
Mymensingh Metropolitan Awami League Vice President Anwara Khatun is also in the list of party nominees. She is the wife of District Awami League President Ehteshamul Alam. She teaches at the city's Muslim Girls School and College. This leader, who has been active in party activities for a long time, met the central leaders and gave her CV and intention to become an MP.
Her husband Ehteshamul Alam said, 'My wife is lobbying with central leaders. The leader will nominate whoever he deems worthy.'
District Awami League women's affairs secretary Professor Dilruba Sharmin is in the race to become an MP. She is the wife of Mymensingh District Awami League General Secretary Moazzem Hossain. Dilruba said, 'I will seek party nomination. However, whoever the leader nominates, I will accept him and work in the coming days.
District Women's Awami League Vice President Agriculturist Dr. Samchhun Nahar Parveen is also in touch with central leaders. He has been associated with Awami League politics for a long time.
Selima Sobhan, wife of former law minister late Abdul Matin Khosru, is also in the race for reserved seat MP. He told Samakal, 'In 2014, I did not get the nomination. But this time the hopeful leader will nominate me.
The people of the area want me.'
Swapna Khandkar, Senior Joint Convenor of District Jubo Mahila League, claiming to be a regular worker in almost all party programs of Jubo League and Awami League, said, 'Two reserved women parliamentarians should be found in 11 constituencies of Mymensingh. Last time I bought the party nomination form, I will buy it this time too.
District Awami League member and former vice chairman of Gouripur Upazila Parishad Rabeya Sultana Doli will also seek nomination. General Secretary of Mymensingh District Women's Awami League and Vice Chairman of Bhaluka Upazila Parishad. Selina Rashid is also in the running to become the MP for the reserved seat. He said, 'I have been working for the development of Trinamool women for a long time The team will definitely evaluate.
District Awami League member and Zilla Parishad panel chairman Arjuna Kabir is also in the discussion. He told Samakal, 'I want to be a candidate. I am informing the central leaders about this.' However, apart from these candidates, many other women leaders can be candidates for reserved seats.