It was in 1973 when the Awami League last won the Bogra 2 constituency, a parliamentary seat which has largely been dominated by Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP.
With the ruling party eyeing a third consecutive term in office, the party’s candidates are confident that the four-decade-long wait will finally end in the upcoming election.
But it will not be easy.
Jatiya Party’s Shariful Islam Jinnah won the seat in the 2014 national election boycotted by the BNP and its allies. This time though, the BNP will likely participate.
Although BNP’s key ally Jamaat’s registration with the Election Commission has been cancelled, an independent candidate from the Islamist party can still contest the election. And that can affect the poll outcome.
In the last upazila election, the Jamaat candidate defeated the Awami League and BNP candidates, indicating that the party still has a strong supporter base in the constituency comprised of only Shibganj Upazila.
It is still unclear though if the BNP-Jamaat alliance will file a single candidate or fight for the seat separately. Either way, it will be an uphill battle for the ruling Awami League.
There are a total of 296,409 voters in the constituency.
AL must pick the right candidate
At least six men are vying for the party’s nod to contest the upcoming election. A decade in power has boosted the morale of the party’s aspirants. All of them say they are confident about victory. They say they will work for the party’s candidate in the election
The aspirants are: freedom fighter Akram Hossain, Awami League’s Shibganj upazila unit chief Azizul Haq, General Secretary Mostafizar Rahman, former upazila chairman Abul Kashem Fakir, municipal Mayor Touhidur Rahman Manik, and Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College’s Vice-Principal Dr Rezaul Alam Jewel.
Akram said the Awami League candidate won the seat in 1970 and 1973 elections with his help.
“I have been campaigning for a long time. I have donated millions for the party’s causes. This time, I am confident about getting the nomination and winning the election to end the 45-year wait,” he said.
Jewel said he has been providing free treatment to the people every Friday for the last 20 years. “I have been preparing for elections and waiting for the centre’s call,” he said.
Who will the BNP pick?
The party’s organizational condition is weak at the moment since it has been out of office for 10 years now. This time though, at least six men are trying to impress the centre to grab the nomination. They have been attending various social and religious functions and campaigning in their locality.
The nomination seekers are: former MP AKM Hafizur Rahman, BNP’s district unit Organizing Secretary Meer Shah-e Alam, educationist Mostafizur Rahman, former municipal mayor Motiur Rahman, BNP’s upazila unit President Kamal Selim and the party’s district unit Senior Joint Secretary MR Islam Swadhin.
Party sources said the young Alam is a big contender for the nomination. He had a very good relationship with Tarique Rahman, son of party chief Khaleda Zia, who valued his organizational skills.
“I am confident about winning if the party picks me,” Alam said.
Former MP Rahman said he will get the nomination from the party. “I will be elected with a huge margin if the election is free and fair.”
JP to go with incumbent MP
Incumbent MP Jinnah has confirmed that he will take part in the election.
“I have been working very hard for the people of my locality. I believe the grand alliance will nominate me to contest from this seat,” he said.
“I am confident about winning, but if the alliance does not pick me for some reason, then I will follow the high command’s orders,” he added.
Another nomination seeker from the party is lawyer Moynul Islam.
Jamaat and others
Jamaat is still in the discussion when it comes to this seat. Losing registration with the Election Commission prevents the party from contesting the election. However, its leaders and activists can take part in the polls as independent candidates.
Shibganj Upazila Chairman and Jamaat leader Alamgir Hossain will likely contest in the national election.
He said the party is organized at the grassroots level. Several Jamaat leaders have claimed that the party will win the seat if one of its men participates in the election.
Meanwhile, Oikya Front leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna may also join the fray.