Several former bureaucrats are so confident of participating in the upcoming 11th national election, many have already started campaigning in their target constituencies.
Most of the ex-bureaucrats are seeking nominations from the ruling Awami League party, with some big names including the former Bangladesh Bank governor, Dr Md Farasuddin, among them.
Known for being honest, efficient and loyal, Dr Farasuddin acted as the personal secretary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and is a confidante of his daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Personal sources have said the PM wants Dr Farasuddin to stand for the election in a seat in his own locality of Habiganj. When asked about this, Dr Farasuddin said he will “reveal details later.”
Dr Farasuddin ran the country’s central bank from 1998-2001, meaning he would easily satisfy a “Representation of People’s Order (RPO)” requirement that a bureaucrat must have been retired from a government job for at least three years before participating in an election.
Another potential candidate is the country’s former permanent representative to the United Nations, AMA Momen.
Momen has expressed his interest in contesting the upcoming election from the Sylhet-1 seat occupied by his older brother, the current finance minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith.
After declining to take part in the election, the finance minister has said he will try to ensure his brother gets his nomination from Awami League through the minister’s own seat.
Momen, who has been involved with social and political activities for some time, has already started campaigning in the area.
Former NBR chairman Ghulam Hossain is said to be interested in participating in the election in the constituency of Kachua in Chandpur, his birthplace. “I want to participate in the election by using the boat symbol,” he recently told reporters.
The former commerce secretary has already started different development and social services in different school-colleges in Kachua.
“I have been involved in political activities ever since I retired from the government job,” Ghulam said. “I have established schools and colleges in my own area (and) I am trying to meet the needs of the local people. I hope, if Awami League nominates me, I will win the election with support from everyone.”
Meanwhile, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Muhammad has also started campaigning.
According to party sources, he wants the Awami League nomination for the Kishoreganj seat held by Minister of Public Administration Syed Ashraful Islam, who is currently receiving medical treatment in Bangkok amid doubts that he will ever return to politics in Bangladesh.
After completing his tenure as the local government secretary, Manzur Hossain is currently posted as the Chairman of Rupali Bank. Just like the others, Manzur is also seeking a nomination from the ruling party from a seat in Faridpur district.
“If Awami League gives me the nomination, I am certain of my victory,” said Manzur, who has been involved with development activities in his area for a long time.
Former VC of BSMMU Dr Pran Gopal Dutta is another who wants to take part in the upcoming election using the boat symbol, from Chandina seat in Comilla.
During his long history as a doctor, Pran Gopal has also been involved with different social activities and hopes that even those people from the opposition who have received treatment from him, will support him in the upcoming election.
Former Commissioner of ACC Shahabuddin Chuppu is interested to get the nomination from Awami League to contest a seat in Tangail, while former Election Commissioner Chhahul Hossain and former secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan are interested to get nominations from the ruling party in Sylhet and Rangpur, respectively.
Among those ex-bureaucrats eyeing potential BNP tickets, Abdul Halim, the former cabinet secretary and member of the advisory board of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, is targeting the seat in Jamalpur.
“I have kept myself busy by working for the development of my people,” he told reporters. “If BNP nominates me, I am certain I shall win.”
Former secretaries Suja-ud-Daula, Humayun Kabir and NM Niazuddin Mia have also expressed their interest in participating in the upcoming election. However, it is yet to be disclosed which party’s nominations they are seeking.
Sources have said that none of them are certain of getting nominations from the parties they are interested in. However, they are using subtle techniques to get public support for their nominations.
Keeping the election in mind, a few of those seeking nominations have already started development activities in their areas. The rest will visit their areas only after being made certain of their nominations.
