S A Shofiee, Sylhet:
Ahead of the upcoming national elections, candidates for Sylhet-4 constituency, like those across the country, have started their election campaign in earnest.Potential candidates of BNP, one of the country’s major political parties, are also campaigning in Sylhet-4 (Gowainghat, Jaintapur and Companiganj), which is rich in natural resources. At least 8 BNP candidates are in the fray for this constituency. Helal Uddin Ahmed is leading in the list of favorites of party leaders, activists, general voters and the right-wingers.
BNP National Executive Committee Joint Organizing Secretary Miftah Siddiqui, former Sylhet Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Badruzzaman Selim, Sylhet District BNP former Vice President and two-time former Chairman of Gowainghat Upazila Parishad Abdul Hakim Chowdhury, District BNP Vice President Md. Fakhrul Islam, Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers Forum Organizing Secretary Barrister Kamruzzaman Selim, Advocate Zebunnahar Selim, wife of former Central BNP Joint Organizing Secretary and former MP late Dildar Hossain Selim, District BNP Advisory Council member Helal Uddin Ahmed and BNP leader Abdul Haque have participated in the nomination battle for this seat.
Among the nomination hopefuls, Miftah Siddiqui and Badruzzaman Selim are not voters of this seat but are trying to get nominated under party influence. There are also allegations of Awami Liaison against Abdul Hakim Chowdhury. Party leaders and activists do not have a good relationship with Barrister Kamruzzaman Selim and Jebunnahar Selim.
When BNP was the victim of attack cases across the country, only Helal Uddin Ahmed stood by the leaders and activists of Jaintapur, Gowainghat and Companygonj.
He has always extended his hand of cooperation to them. In addition to party activities, he has actively participated in the anti-government movement.
The possibility of Helal Uddin Ahmed, a worthy successor of the late BNP leader and former UP chairman, the late Haji Tera Mia Baton, becoming a candidate has created a stir in the area. There has been enthusiasm among local BNP leaders and activists and the public. He gave instructions in coordination with the district BNP, keeping all issues including the attack case in mind.
It is known from the Gowainghat area that Helal Uddin Ahmed, the advisor of Sylhet district BNP and a London expatriate, has a very good relationship with the local leaders and activists, including the common people. His name is being spoken very strongly in the mouths of the people as a partner in happiness and sorrow.
The residents of the area said that Helal Uddin Ahmed, a close and trusted person of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman who is staying in the UK, has been communicating, exchanging views and participating in social and political activities in all circles for several days after returning to the country after receiving the green signal. Helal Uddin Ahmed has been able to build a strong position for himself among the BNP leaders and activists and the public of the three upazilas of Gowainghat, Jaintapur and Companiganj. If a caretaker government is established and BNP participates in the upcoming elections, Helal Uddin Ahmed will be the party’s nomination.
The seat was vacated by the passing away of the former popular BNP MP, the late Dildar Hossain Selim. As a result, there is a lot of interest among the public as Helal Uddin Ahmed steps forward to fill the BNP leadership gap in this seat. Helal Uddin Ahmed’s father, former UP Chairman Late Tera Mia Batan of Salutikar Bahr village, was a very close and trusted confidant of former Finance Minister Late M Saifur Rahman, former MP Nazim Kamran Chowdhury, former MP Late Khandaker Abdul Malik and Late Dildar Hossain Selim MP. Late Batan Chairman has been a BNP movement since the establishment of BNP from President Ziaur Rahman’s Jagdal until his death. Due to this, Helal Uddin Ahmed is a dedicated worker who has been raised in the BNP ideology in his family.
Sources say that Helal Uddin Ahmed has earned a reputation as a successful and established businessman in London. This young, smart, always smiling, and sweet-natured social worker is being welcomed by people from different classes and professions as he comes forward for public service.
Several sources in the Gowainghat Upazila BNP said that Helal Uddin Ahmed’s role in the movement to re-establish the caretaker government and topple the government deserves praise.
Gowainghat Upazila Jubo Dal leader Enamul Haque said that all the party nomination aspirants are going to the doorsteps of the people with the party’s message and their own manifesto and promises. They are presenting their position by participating in various organizational programs in addition to social and religious programs. In this regard, Sylhet District BNP advisor Helal Uddin Ahmed can surprise. In addition to fulfilling important responsibilities of the district BNP, he also has good relations with the central leaders. He thinks that if the party nominates him, he can gift this important seat of Sylhet to the party.
Helal Uddin Ahmed said that during the previous government’s tenure, I fought against the fascism of the government from the field, stood by the party leaders and activists. I am working while maintaining good relations with the common people.
The party will evaluate these considerations,” he said.
