S A Shofiee, Sylhet :
With the upcoming 13th National Parliament election in sight, the election campaign has begun in Sylhet-6 (Golapganj-Bianibazar) constituency.
The party-nominated candidates are not sitting still, they are already running from city to village in the morning and evening, making various promises.
They are doing road development on their own, free medical camps, mosques-madrasas, schools-colleges, temples, with the aim of winning the national election on February 1.
The common people are also doing extensive discussions, speculations and preparations for the election war with a lot of humor.
However, in the towns of the two upazilas, which were once the stronghold of the Awami League, the BNP-Jamaat expatriate leaders and activists, who have been in hiding since the fall of the government on August 5, are now in full swing in election talks.
Starting from tea parties to markets, markets, markets, mosques or social media – everywhere, there is only one question, “Who do the people want?”
Four hotly debated candidates are contesting this seat—BNP, Jamaat, Gana Odhikar Parishad, and Jamiat Ulama Islam Bangladesh nominees.
Each is competing to win the hearts of voters based on their respective political ideology, popularity, and organizational strength.
Former Chhatra Dal leader Advocate Emran Ahmed Chowdhury has been nominated as BNP’s nominee for Sylhet-6 constituency.
Emran Ahmed, a product of Golapganj, has been playing an active role in BNP politics for a long time.
His strong organization at the grassroots level, simple behavior, and unwavering loyalty to the party have made him popular among workers and supporters.
Since receiving the nomination, he has been conducting mass outreach, road meetings, and exchange of views in various unions of Golapganj-Beanibazar. His pledge is—”To restore the rights of the people and take the neglected Golapganj-Beanibazar forward on the path of development.”
Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated candidate Mohammad Selim Uddin is a familiar face in Beanibazar. Along with party politics, he is also active in social service and education. Islamic educational institutions in the area are developing under his leadership.
Local political analysts believe that Jamaat’s organized vote bank and the support of a section of voters who believe in religious values ??can be his big strength.
Advocate Zahidur Rahman, the nominated candidate of the People’s Rights Council, represents the young generation. His political ideology is the rights of the masses and the politics of change. He is known throughout the area as the “voice of the youth.”
He said, “We want to do people’s politics, not party politics. We want to set a new example in the country’s politics.” The response of young voters to his campaign is already being noticed.
Jamiat-e-Ulama Islam Bangladesh’s candidate Hafiz Fakhrul Islam is also now active in the field. As a holder of Islamic thought, he is trying to attract devout voters. He has close ties with local mosques and madrasas, religious and social organizations.
Although all four candidates are actively campaigning in the field, the decision of the voters is still not clear. Some say that BNP candidate Emran Ahmed Chowdhury is more popular; others think that Jamaat’s Selim Uddin has a strong base.
On the other hand, Zahidur Rahman’s acceptance is increasing among young voters, and a section of religious voters may go in favor of Fakhrul Islam.
There were 9 BNP candidates in this seat. BNP leader Faisal Ahmed Chowdhury was the candidate of the paddy sheaf in the seat in the 11th National Parliament election. In that election, which was known as the night vote, he received more than one lakh votes against former Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid.
Although he could not win the election, he did not leave the area. He has increased his activities in the area ahead of the election. He has won praise for standing by the families of the martyrs of Golapganj and Beanibazar in the July Uprising.
In addition, as candidates for nomination in the constituency, BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Dr. Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Central Member Abul Kaher Chowdhury Shamim and District BNP General Secretary Advocate Emran Ahmed Chowdhury, BNP Chairperson’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Ahid Ahmed, UK BNP former President late Qamar Uddin’s daughter Sabina Khan and former MP Dr. Syed Maqbul Hossain Lechu Mia’s daughter Syeda Adiba Hossain, District BNP’s Deputy Industry and Commerce Secretary Tamim Yahya and JASAS convener Helal Khan are continuing their public relations activities in addition to participating in regular party programs.
In the BNP’s primary nomination list, Advocate Emran Ahmed Chowdhury entered the field in full swing after receiving the party nomination, but other nomination candidates remained silent.
However, Syeda Adiba Hossain, an exception among them, is still continuing her public relations activities. He gained a lot of popularity after entering the field for the first time.
According to political analysts, the qualifications, personal image and development plans of the candidates in this Golapganj-Bianibazar constituency will determine who will be the next member of parliament.
Tension is now high in Sylhet-6 constituency. Political parties have entered the field with workers and supporters, and voters are waiting for a peaceful, competitive election.
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