Nilphamari 3 constituency: Jamaat stronghold, main rival BNP

Nilphamari 3 constituency is a Jamaat-e-Islami stronghold, yet BNP is determined to put up a fight to attain the seat in the 11th general election.

During the10th general election, Jaldhaka upazila Awami League Vice-President Golam Mostafa was elected Member of Parliament. Jatiya Party's Kazi Faruq Kader was the rival-candidate in that election. 

Party Nominations

Those in the running for Awami League’s nomination include: Member of Parliament Golam Mostafa, Jaldhaka upazila Awami League President Ansar Ali Mintu, General Secretary Shaheed Hossain Rubel, Jubo League former president Abdul Wahed Bahadur, and former vice-chairman Babita Rani.

Former lawmaker Kazi Faruq Kader has been actively working to get Jatiya Party’s nomination.

Further, Nilphamari Jatiya Party General Secretary Sajjad Parvez and Nilphamari Jatiya Party member Rana Mohammad Sohel are gathering support to contest for the party's nomination.

Meanwhile, Jaldhaka BNP President and Municipality Mayor Fahmid Faisal Comet, and Rangpur BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Samu are expecting BNP’s nomination.

As the sole nomination-aspirant, Jamaat-e-Islami Central Committee member Emir Azizul Islam has been given the party’s nomination. 

What do they say?

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Emir Azizul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that Nilphamari 2 and 3 constituencies go to the Jamaat candidate every time.

"I hope this will be no exception. We will win the seat with the help of our alliance [Islami Oikya Jote]."

He said that if there is a fair election, Jamaat candidates will win the two seats. 

Regarding development, Awami League MP Golam Mustafa said, the development of the upazila is clear under Awami League's tenure.

‘Voters will evaluate development issues’

He said a lot of important work is being undertaken—including the construction of a rail line from Jaldhaka to Votmari.

Regarding BNP, Jaldhaka Municipality mayor and Upazila BNP President Fahmid Faisal Comet said: "I have been elected mayor of the municipality and as a part of the legacy [of his father who had been an MP], wish to gain the constituency’s seat."

District Jatiya Party General Secretary Sajjad Parvez said that Jatiya Party is going to reap the benefits of BNP and Jamaat’s incessant fighting.

"In order to utilize this opportunity, Jatiya Party has been strengthening its organizational framework day by day."

Nilphamari 3 constituency of Jaldhaka upazila consists of 11 unions, one municipality, and 236,167 voters. Of these, 119,434 are male and 116,733 are female voters.