As the general election is approaching, local leaders of ruling Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other political parties have paid attention to making their respective parties stronger in the Sunamganj-1 constituency.
The nomination seekers have already started early field work to win the people’s heart in their constituency.
But the ruling AL will have to struggle to have a single Member of Parliament (MP) candidate for Sunamganj-1 constituency due to intra-party feud in the local party politics while BNP will not face such a situation, according to the latest development in the constituency’s political arena.
Moazzem Hossain Ratan of ruling AL has been representing the party in the National Parliament from Sunamganj-1 constituency since 2008.
The constituency encompasses Dharamapasha, Jamalganj, and Tahirpurupazilas.
The constituency was created in 1984 from a Sylhet constituency when the former Sylhet District was split into four districts: Sunamganj, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj.
Campaign activities for AL candidates in the constituency are energetic but supporters of non-ruling party candidates, particularly the BNP, Jatiya Party and Jamaat were hardly seen electioneering.
There was an uneasy calm and many kept themselves carefully away from campaigning or even discussing the next general elections.
A cross section of locals said those who support the BNP or the Jamaat-e-Islami have either kept themselves away from campaigning or have started electioneering for the AL to “avert police trouble or harassment”, according to local people.
Though the two major political camps remain rigid on their stances over the contentious issue of polls-time administration, they are making preparations for the 12th parliamentary election, according to locals.
Therefore, nomination seekers of AL have already started passing hectic days through polls campaigning in the constituency.
However, BNP is internally preparing for the election in the constituency.
Simultaneously, the local BNP leaders along with their party workers are taking part in their ongoing political programmes to press home their demand for the resignation of the AL government.
BNP is a big political party and its leaders also want to take part in the polls, local BNP leaders and activists said.
About six AL leaders are scrambling for the party ticket to contest the next general election from the Sunamganj-1 constituency.
The incumbent lawmaker Moazzem Hossain Ratan will seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
“I contested the three consecutive national polls held in 2008, 2014 and 2018. And I won the seat thrice as people love me. I have been working hard to develop my constituency for 14 years and eight months. The development is now visible in every corner of my constituency. So, I will seek my party nomination again as I’m confident people will again cast their vote in favour of me,” the incumbent lawmaker said.
Replying to a query he said a political party like AL may face intra-party feud.
“When some leaders are satisfied others will be dissatisfied as our Awami League is a big political party in the country. It is very usual and natural. But, at the end of the day we all are the workers of Awami League and united under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s daughter Sheikh Hasina,” Moazzem Hossain Ratan MP said.
Apart from Moazzem Hossain Ratan, Sunamganj district unit AL Vice President and Tahirpurupazila Chairman Karuna Sindhu Chawdhury (Babul) also wants to seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
“I have been working hard for Awami League since my student life. If Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina evaluates me and nominates me for contesting the next general election I’m sure I will win the poll,” Karuna Sindhu told Bangladesh Post on Saturday.
Replying to a query he said he wants to stand against looters, criminals, drug abuse, terrorism and militancy.
“I always stand against looters, criminals, drug abuse, terrorism and militancy in my constituency. So, I have paid special attention here to this end. If I get a party ticket and become MP from my constituency none can dare to engage in such crimes,” he said.
“Besides, I want to place my constituency’s problems and prospects before the parliament. And I want to be a part of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision in building Smart Bangladesh,” Karuna Sindhu said.
Local leaders and workers said Karuna Sindhu Chawdhury (Babul) will be a heavyweight nomination seeker this time and he is likely to get the party nomination.
“We grassroots Awami League believe the party high command will choose the experienced, dedicated and honest leadership through democratic process to face the upcoming challenges. In this regard, we think Karuna Sindhu Chawdhury is better than other nomination seekers including the incumbent lawmaker,” a grassroots leader preferring not to be named said.
Besides, ShamimaAkterKhanam MP, reserved women’s seat-21, AL, District Sramik League former President Mohammad Selim, Sylhet District AL Organising Secretary Ranjit Sarkar and Sunamganj district unit AL former adviser BinoyBhushanTalukder will also seek party nomination to contest the next general election.
Giving all credit to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the overall development of Sunamganj, the MP nomination aspirants are urging all to extend support to the government for continuing the development spree of this haor region.
They said the Sheikh Hasina-led AL government has been able to make many impossible things possible over the last 14 years and eight months under her able leadership.
“Whenever AL comes to power, then there is an end to deprivation and the fate of people changes. There have been socio-economic changes over the years and none is deprived of development. This is the political philosophy of Awami League,” Mohammad Selim said.
Highlighting various development activities of the present government Mohammad Selim mentioned that power connections are being reached at the doorsteps of commoners.
“I shall seek party nomination to contest the next general election. If I’m evaluated I’m sure I will get the party ticket this time,” he said.
BinoyBhushanTalukder said the party president has decided to keep the experienced leadership to face the upcoming challenges.
“Therefore, I will seek party nomination to contest the next general election,” he added.
The nomination seekers have set up big banners and posters at the important points in the constituency, intersections of highways and roads, and on boundary walls.
Containing the image of the candidates, various colourful posters have already been pasted across the constituency.
Candidates are also travelling to different parts of the constituency as part of their hectic electioneering.
They are also using the photographs of their respective political party chiefs in their posters.
Although BNP leaders are maintaining a silent policy in the constituency, the political landscape of the Sunamganj-1 constituency is going to heat up as soon as the nomination seekers of the next general elections have started kicking off their campaigns.
Former BNP lawmaker Nozir Hossain, Sunamganj district unit BNP Organising Secretary KamruzzamanKamrul, Krishak Dal central Vice President Mohammad AnisulHaque and Sunamganj district unit BNP Vice-President Abdul Motalib Khan will seek party nomination to contest the next general election if BNP joins the poll.
Talking to reporters KamruzzamanKamrul said they are united under the leadership of BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
“We BNP leaders and workers are well organised here. We are taking part in our ongoing movement to oust the government. We will not join polls under this government. But, everything depends on the party high command. However, we can say if the upcoming election is held under a non-party caretaker government, none can defeat the party from this constituency,” he added.
