As the nation prepares for a parliamentary election in January next year, prospective candidates have started early field work to win the people’s hearts at the grassroots level.
The Awami League (AL)-led government has announced holding the polls under the incumbent government as per the Constitution, while the main opposition BNP has continued demanding that the national elections be held under a non-party caretaker government.
Defying the BNP’s demand, people from all walks of life are showing increasing interest in the electoral process months before the polls.
In Moulvibazar-4 (Kamalganj- Srimangal) constituency, two persons have appeared as strong candidates for the nomination of AL in the upcoming parliamentary elections while there is a single candidate from BNP in the polls race.
There are over four lakh voters in the constituency comprising 18 unions and two municipalities under the two upazilas.
In the 2008 parliamentary elections, former Chief Whip M Abdus Shahid from the AL was elected from the constituency with one lakh 34 thousand 740 votes while his closest rival BNP's Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury got 79 thousand 599 votes. Abdus Shahid became an MP unopposed in the election held on January 5 in 2014.
He was elected MP for six consecutive terms from Moulvibazar-4 seat and he is in a strong position as a potential candidate of AL in the next election as well. He has been regularly participating in major events in the area including the inauguration of various development works.
“As a lawmaker, I am always engaged in public work and so, I am confident of the party’s nomination in the 12th parliamentary elections,” he told the Bangladesh Post.
However, Kamalganj Upazila Parishad Chairman Rafiqur Rahman has appeared as his strong rival this time.
Rafiqur Rahman has been regularly participating in various programs and activities of the Awami League in the two upazilas.
“I want to become a candidate because people want change. If nominated, I am hopeful of bringing victory for Awami League,” Rafiqur told the Bangladesh Post.
ASM Azadur Rahman, Legal Affairs Secretary of Moulvibazar District Awami League, is also hopeful of nomination from the party.
“Despite being elected MP six times, Abdus Shaheed is very isolated from the grassroots-level leaders and activists,” said Azadur Rahman, a son of Kamalganj.
Syed Mansurul Haque, Vice Principal of Srimangal Dwarikapal Women's Degree College, has also announced that he will seek nomination for the seat and is trying to strengthen his position through various activities in the area.
A large number tea workers living in Moulvibazar-4 constituency are known as AL’s ‘vote bank’ and so, the boat symbol easily wins here.
However, BNP's Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury had a good response in this AL stronghold in the 2008 parliamentary elections, getting about 80 thousand votes. Mujibur, a member of the Central Executive Committee of BNP, is almost certain of getting nomination of the party in the next election.
“If the election is held under a caretaker government, we will participate in the election with the assurance of our party and the support of all leaders and workers. I am hopeful that the party will win the seat if the polls are fair,” Mujibur Rahman told the Bangladesh Post.
Srimangal Upazila Committee President of Jasad (Inu) Haji Elaman Kabir and Jatiya Party Srimangal Upazila Committee President Kamal Ahmed are also campaigning in different ways as prospective candidates for this seat.