With the next general elections six months away, the ruling Awami League (AL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party and other political parties are scaling up their organisational activities in Bogura constituency-3.
However, the BNP is focused on drumming up support for a non-partisan election-time government, but its leaders are making preparations for the next general elections.
Therefore, 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 reports reaching capital Dhaka.
Bogura-3 is a constituency represented in the JatiyaSangsad (National Parliament) since 2014 by Nurul Islam Talukder of the Jatiya Party (Ershad).
The constituency encompasses Adamdighi and Dupchanchiaupazilas.
The constituency was created for the first general elections in newly independent Bangladesh, held in 1973.
Awami League (AL) candidate Mohammad Hasan Ali Talukder won the polls in 1973, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Abdul Majid Talukdar in 1979 and JatiyaSamajtantrik Dal (S) candidate ABM Shahjahan in 1986.
Besides, ABM Shahjahan, who was a JSD lawmaker, got Jatiya Party nomination in 1988 and won the polls, BNP’s candidate Abdul Majid Talukdar in 1991, BNP candidate Golam Mawla in February 1996, BNP candidate Abdul Majid Talukdar in 1996, BNP candidate Abdul MomenTalukder in 2001, and Jatiya Party candidate Nurul Islam Talukder in 2014 and 2018.
Sirajul Islam Khan Razu, Adamdighi Upazila Chairman and President of Upazila unit of AL, SwadhinFiroz, President central executive committee of BangabandhuProjonmo League, Professor Scientist Dr Jamil Talkudar, Ajoy Sarkar, Vice-President of Adamdighi Upazila unit of AL Abdul Motin, Vice-President and Advocate Tabibur Rahman, Law Affairs Secretary of Bogura district unit of AL want party nomination to contest the contest polls.
Talking to reporters Sirajul Islam Khan Razu said he has been working hard since long to unite the AL leaders and workers.
“I believe if my party (AL) gives me a nomination, I will win the polls. AL needs a strong candidate who can defeat the BNP-Jamaat candidate here. I think I have the capacity as people trust me to defeat the BNP-Jamaat candidate,” he said.
Abdul MomenTalukdar, son of former lawmaker Abdul Majid Talukdar, won the national polls in 2001 and 2008.
But, in November 2021, Talukder was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal for his conviction on war crime charges during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
Since he was absconding, he was tried in absentia.
Therefore, his (Abdul MomenTalukdar) younger brother Abdul MuhithTalukdar, ex Adamdighi Upazila Chairman and President of Upazila unit of BNP wants to contest the polls.
So, if BNP participates in the next general elections, he (Abdul MuhithTalukdar) will seek his party nomination to contest the polls.
Besides, Masuda Begum, sister-in-law of Abdul MuhithTalukdar, is likely to seek party (BNP) nomination.
Apart from them, Fazlul Bari TalukdarBelal, general secretary of Bogura district unit, Firoz Mohammad Quamrul Hasan, former mayor of Shantahar Municipality, HamidulHaqueHiru, President of Bogura district city unit, Mohammd Rafi Ahmed, ex Adamdighi Upazila Chairman and TofazzalHoossain Bhutto, incumbent mayor of Shantahar Municipality and President of Shantahar unit of BNP will also seek party nomination if BNP participates in the polls.
On the other hand, the incumbent lawmaker Nurul Islam Talukder who won the polls in 2014 and 2018 as the Jatiya Party candidate will also seek his party nomination this time.
But, local people alleged that Nurul Islam Talukder did not work for the development of people of the locality.
Jamaat-e-Islam, however, is yet to announce its candidate for Bogura constituency-3.
It is learnt that three leaders of Jamaat-e-Islam are likely to seek party nomination to contest upcoming national elections.
The high command of Jamaat-e-Islam will disclose its candidate’s name for the Bogura constituency-3 if the party is allowed to participate in the next general elections.
