About six ruling Awami League (AL) leaders are scrambling for the party ticket to run for the Bogura-1 constituency in the next general election that would be held in the first week of January 2024.
The race for nomination has garnered significant hype as the aspirants believe the next polls will be held on time.
The Bogura-1 constituency encompasses Sariakandi and Sonatola upazilas.
Bogra-one is a constituency represented in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) of by ruling party lawmaker Abdul Mannan’s wife SahadaraMannan.
AL MP of Bogura -1 constituency Abdul Mannan died of cardiac arrest on January 18 in 2020.
Mannan, also a former organizing secretary of BCL, was elected (AL) lawmaker from Bogura-1 constituency in 2008,
2014 and last 2018.
The Bogura-1 constituency fell vacant following the death of ruling party lawmakers Abdul Mannan.
Shahdara Mannan, wife of former MP Abdul Mannan, contested the by-polls to Bogura-1 parliamentary seats on July 14, amid the coronavirus outbreak and won the polls.
With sincere and relentless efforts by the former AL lawmaker Abdul Mannan and his wife Shahdara Mannan, the incumbent MP, Bogur-1 constituency has changed because of the implementation of massive development projects.
Huge development is visible in all sectors, including agriculture, education, health and infrastructure, in the constituency in the last 14 years and six months under their leadership.
Shahdara Mannan said the devastating erosion by the mighty Jamuna every year damages crops and farmlands in the constituency.
“It is a big challenge for us. People of this constituency are now passing days in fear of erosion. Several buildings -- residential and educational -- in many areas of the constituency have been swallowed up by the mighty Jamuna river, rendering hundreds homeless. I want to concentrate on this burning issue,” she said.
Besides, Shahdara Mannan expressed her desire to complete the unfinished task and transform the Bogura-1 into a more beautiful area.
“I will work for the constituency’s development, sustainable progress, and improving the future prospects of its people by creating opportunities,” she added.
Apart from the incumbent lawmaker Shahdara Mannan, M AbdurRazzak, Vice-President, AwamiSwechchhasebak League and former leader of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU), industrialist and Managing Director of National AgriCare Group KSM Mostafizur Rahman, Zakir Hossain, organising secretary of Sherpur district unit of Awami League and ShahzadiAlam Lip, wife of a government high up also want the party nomination.
Besides, Muzahidul Islam Biplob, son of former AL lawmaker Sirajul Islam Suruj, is now hectically lobbying AL’s high-ups to secure nominations to contest the polls.
On the other hand, at least four lawmaker aspirants of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are set to seek the party’s ticket to contest Bogura-1 constituency.
They are former lawmaker Kazi Rafiqul Islam, Masudur Rahman Hiru Mandol, Ahsanul Toyeb Zakir, President of Sonatola Upazila unit of BNP and Mosharraf Hossain Chowdhury, General Secretary of Zia Shishu-Kishore Sangathan are taking preparation for the next general elections.
Kazi Rafiqul Islam, who was elected to parliament from Bogra-1 as a BNP candidate in 2001, talking to reporters said if the parliamentary election is held under a neutral caretaker administration, they will regain the seat again.
“I’m optimistic if my party (BNP) participates in the next general elections, I will seek nomination for contesting from my constituency. I will surely win the election. And the BNP will regain its seat Bogura-1 again.
On the other hand, Principal MoksudulAlam is likely to seek nomination from Jatiya Party.
Besides, the local leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami are unsure whether their party will be allowed to contest the national polls.
But, the Jamaat’s recent demonstration in the capital Dhaka, geared up its organisational activities.
Therefore, Jamaat central leader Shahabudin is likely to contest the polls if he gets the party high command’s green signal.
