A number of heavyweight leaders are vying for selection in Chandpur 3 constituency, making it the most crucial of the five seats in the district.
The ruling party’s district unit has become split between the incumbent MP and former foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni, and the party’s Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandy.
“People are satisfied with development projects I have undertaken for them,” Dipu Moni said. “I hope they will re-elect me if I get the candidacy.”
Rival candidate Sujit Nandy said grassroots leaders had nominated him as their candidate in the 2008 and 2014 elections, but party chief Sheikh Hasina selected Dr Dipu Moni.
“I complied with the party decision and worked for the candidate,” Sujit said. “I hope the party will evaluate my sacrifice for the party (but) even if I am not nominated, I will work for the person the party chooses.”
The Awami League’s Chandpur Sadar upazila unit organizing secretary, Ayub Ali Bepari, said the party won the constituency after 35 years in the 2008 election only because Dipu Moni was nominated.
“The current MP has worked for the development of the constituency over the past 10 years,” he said. “I hope the party will again nominate her for the next election.”
Also in contention for the AL in Chandpur 3 are Matsyajjibi League leader Redwan Khan Borhan, the party’s district unit president Nasir Uddin Ahmed, and its general secretary Abu Nayeem Patwari Dulal.
BNP frontrunners
BNP leaders are also readying themselves for the election in Chandpur 3, which encompasses Chandpur Sadar and Haimchar upazilas.
Aspirants for the party nomination include the party’s district unit convener, Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik.
“If BNP decides to participate in the election, I will seek a nomination (and) if nominated, I am hopeful of regaining the constituency,” he said.
Other candidates are the former MP Rasheda Begum Hira, former municipality chairman Shafikur Rahman Bhuiyan, central executive committee leader Mostofa Khan Safri, and central BNP leader Kamal Uddin.
However, the BNP leaders are worried about their nomination after the party joined Jatiya Oikya Front, a new alliance led by Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain.
Their nomination would be uncertain if the alliance decides to name candidates from parties other than BNP.
Aspirants of the Oikya Front are Gono Forum’s district unit President Selim Akbar and Nagorik Oikya leader Fazlul Haque Sarkar.
Aspirants from the alliance are also running campaigns for the election, scheduled to be held at the end of December.