Bagerhat-3 constituency, comprising Mongla and Rampal upazilas of Bagerhat, bears immense political importance as the areas have seen growing economic activities including massive industrialization during the last 15 years.
The Awami League (AL) candidates have won this seat every time since 1991 but differences of opinion among the ruling AL leaders and activists have surfaced in this constituency with 2 lakh 54 thousand 608 voters.
The Mongla port that became nearly inactive during the BNP-Jamaat rule now buzzes with activities, being a hub of international business.
Besides, mega project works worth thousands of crores of taka are going on in this area.
Living standard of the people of this area has significantly changed due to Mongla Economic Zone, Mongla EPZ, Mongla-Ghashiakhali international naval route, Khulna-Mongla rail line, Khanjahan Ali (R) under-construction airport, Thermal power plant, dredging of 73 rivers and canals, construction of roads and infrastructures, power supply to every houses, Ashrayan project, success in agriculture despite salinity in water, modernization of Mongla port and setting up of privately-owned mills and factories.
Better communication with the capital and other parts of the country following the construction of the Padma Bridge has greatly contributed to the situation.
Price of land has increased manifold within a span of one decade and a half.
On the condition of anonymity, an elderly leader of AL said, “People of this area were in a very unstable situation due to various crimes centring the ‘Shrimp enclosures’ during the BNP-Jamaat and Jatiya Party rule, which was controlled during the tenure of AL lawmaker and alter Khuna city Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque.
“But an adverse situation has emerged recently due to outside instigation. Consequently, Jubo League Leader Motahar Sarder was killed on April 7 in a clash between two groups. Besides, incidents of occupation and reoccupation have become a regular scenario in this area. As a result, mainly the local Awami League is badly affected. On the contrary, the BNP-Jamaat alliance is trying to strengthen their position,” he said.
The AL candidates kept this seat under their control since 1991 when Talukder Abdul Khaleque became Member of Parliament (MP) defeating influential BNP leader ASM Mustafizur Rahman. Mr Khaleque was reelected in 1996. In 2001, he defeated Gazi Abu Baqr Siddiq of BNP-Jamaat alliance. In 2008, Talukder Abdul Khaleque was elected lawmaker again, defeating Jamaat leader and alliance candidate Advocate Abdul Wadud.
Later, Talukder Khaleque resigned as MP to contest the Khulna City Corporation election as a mayoral candidate. This seat fell vacant following his resignation and his wife Habibun Nahar became MP in the by-election. Talukder was defeated by BNP candidate Moniruzzaman Monir in the mayoral election. But he was elected MP unopposed in 2014.
In 2018, again he resigned from the Jatiya Sangsad to take part in the mayoral election. The seat fell vacant following his resignation and his wife Habibun Nahar became MP unopposed on June 4 in that year. And again in 2018, Habibun Nahar became MP defeating Jamaat district Nayeb-e-Ameer Advocate Abdul Wadud. Now she is Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
As Talukder Khaleque is mulling over contesting the KCC mayoral election his wife Habibun Nahar is expected to be AL candidate for Bagerhat-3 constituency in the 12th Jatiya Sangsad election. But it is heard that someone from the Sheikh family may be chosen as the candidate for the JS poll in the seat. Awami League grassroots activists said they will work unitedly for the candidate nominated by Sheikh Hasina.
Besides, former president of Khulna district Chhatra League Sheikh Md Abu Hanif, also a son of Rampal, Barrister Sheikh Obaidur Rahman, Lion Iqbal Latif Sohel and film actor Shakil Khan are aspirants for AL ticket.
On the other hand, Jamaat leaders were always the BNP-Jamaat alliance choice to contest the JS election from this seat but if BNP takes part in the election BNP central Assistant Publicity Secretary Shamimur Rahman and district BNP joint convener Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam may apply for the candidacy. BNP grassroots leaders and workers demand a BNP candidate for this constituency.
Jatiya Party (JP), Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Islami Andolan Bangladesh are likely to field their candidates for the Bagerhat-3 constituency. JP district unit Vice-president and president of Rampal Upazila committee President MA Sabur may contest the poll with ‘plough’ symbol. Former central leader of Chhatra Union Noor Alam Sheikh may be the candidate from CPB, according to party sources. Maulana Abdul Aziz may contest the polls from Islami Andolan Bangladesh and he is maintaining contact with the party men and voters. These two leaders are holding meetings and exchanging views with people in their localities.
Rampal Upazila AL President Sheikh Abdul Ohab and Rampal Upazila parishad Chairman Shekh Moazzem Hossain said there are often many candidates before elections but party activists will work for the candidate who will be selected by party leader Sheikh Hasina. Both of them opined that people want Talukder Abdul Khaleque and his wife Habibun Nahar.
Freedom fighter and Mongla Municipality Mayor Sheikh Abdur Rahman and Upazila Parishad Chairman Abu Taher Howlader also expressed the same views.
Islami Andolan district unit President Prof Mahmudul Hasan said, “We will take part in the election in four constituencies here and I hope our candidates will win if the election is held free.”
