Awami League candidates have won the seat of Khulna 6 at the past two national elections but the scenario is different with the 11th general polls approaching.
Internal conflicts are surfacing within the local unit of the ruling party as multiple nomination seekers campaign for the seat, which comprises Koyra and Paikgachha upazilas.
The BNP-Jamaat-E-Islami alliance is hoping to benefit from the Awami League instability as it prepares to contest one of Jamaat’s traditional strongholds. When Awami League candidate Md Shorab Ali Sana won the seat in 2008, his main challenger was the Jamaat candidate, Shah Ruhul Kuddus.
According to grassroots Awami League activists, the current MP Adv Nurul Haque will again seek the nomination in his bid for a second term. He also controls major parts of Awami League in the constituency.
“To be supported by local party leaders and activists and to be renowned in the area is a big thing,” Adv Nurul said. “I will go to our prime minister with the support of the grassroots and ask her to nominate me.”
The sitting MP will not go unchallenged, however: the prime minister's economic affairs adviser, Dr Mashiur Rahman, also wants to contest the seat and has been actively campaigning in the area.
The district Awami League organizational secretary and local Jubo League general secretary, Akhteruzzaman Babu, is also vying for the nomination.
The opposition may also be split in Khulna 6.
With Khulna City Jamaat Amir Maulana Abul Kalam Azad campaigning to contest for this seat as the Jamaat candidate, BNP leaders and activists are confused as to whether to support him or nominate someone else.
“Usually the Jamaat candidate is backed by the coalition here,” Maulana Azad said. “Therefore, if the coalition goes to contest in the polls then I have to be the candidate for here.”
The Koyra Upazila BNP president, Adv Momrezul Islam, has also expressed his desire to run for the constituency.
Adv Momrezul said: “If the party takes part in the election, I am willing to contest it.”
One constituent, Harun-Ur-Rashid, said Jamaat has a very strong position in the region.
“They have won the constituency a couple of times on their own and under a BNP-led coalition (and) they also did well in the local election,” he said.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh Khulna District President Maulana Gazi Noor Ahmed will also contest Khulna 6 and has already started campaigning in the area.