Sylhet City Corporation elections are still about six months away. In the meantime, the race for the nomination for the post of mayor has started. Aspirants of political parties are trying to increase their popularity through meetings and mass communication. On the other hand, lobbying is being done at the center for party nominations. Billboards, posters, banners, and festoons of at least a dozen leaders of various political parties were hung in the city. They continue to campaign with their supporters. As a result, the election buzz started ringing in Sylhet city before the schedule.
So far, the names being discussed as Awami League candidates for the post of mayor are - Sylhet Metropolitan Awami League Vice President Asad Uddin Ahmad, General Secretary Professor Zakir Hossain, Joint General Secretary ATM Hasan Zebul, and Azadur Rahman Azad. District member and former central organizing secretary Misbah Uddin Siraj, Metropolitan Awami League member Prince Sadruzzaman Chowdhury, United Kingdom Awami League joint general secretary Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury and BAFUF executive member and district sports association general secretary Mahi Uddin Ahmad Salim.
Apart from this, Nazrul Islam Babul, convenor of the Metropolitan National Party, and Mahbubur Rahman, expatriate leader of the United Kingdom, are also present as National Party candidates. Sylhet National Party held a meeting and demanded the center give the party nomination to Babul.
On the other hand, BNP is wavering about the elections. However, if the BNP goes to the polls, the current mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury will be the mayoral candidate - according to party sources.
Awami League's nominees for the post of the mayor are the most active in Sylhet City Corporation elections. Rumors have been going on for almost a month - UK Awami League Joint General Secretary Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury has received a green signal from the Center to become a candidate for the boat symbol in the upcoming elections. Anwar returned to the country on January 22 amidst this rumor. He has since started campaigning as a mayoral candidate in the city. Day and night he runs around the city. Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury claimed that he has entered the field for the election of Sylhet City Corporation Mayor on the instructions of the party's high command. He said, "I am working under the instructions of the party's high command."
However, despite Anwaruzzaman's talk of a 'green signal', other leaders are not leaving the field. They say, according to the rules, the candidate will be finalized through the local government nomination board. In this way, there is no precedent of party candidate nomination in the Awami League.
Expressing optimism about getting the party nomination, the joint general secretary of the metropolitan Awami League and four-time city councilor Azadur Rahman Azad said, I sought party nomination in the last election as well. I worked for Badr Uddin Ahmad Kamran as the party trusted him.
Professor Zakir Hossain said, last time I wanted to be nominated for the post of mayor, I will want this time too. I was injured in a grenade attack while performing the duties of the Awami League. Asad Uddin Ahmed, who is optimistic about getting the party nomination, expressed himself, saying that he has been working for the election of the mayor for almost eight years.
Misbah Uddin Siraj said, "Sheikh Hasina gave me the top leadership of Chhatra League and Awami League in Sylhet. So I will ask for the party nomination in the election.
Mahi Uddin Salim said, 'People of Sylhet consider me as their own. This time also I will ask for a ticket to work for people.
Ariful Haque Chowdhury said, 'BNP has announced not to participate in any election under the current government. BNP is protesting on the streets demanding the restoration of democracy and the re-establishment of voting rights of the people. Participating in the election depends on the party's decision.
