To give current members of parliament a tough fight in the upcoming national polls, 25 aspirants have submitted nomination papers for three constituencies from the ruling Awami League (AL) in Manikganj.
A dozen local Awami League leaders are vying for nomination from Manikganj-2.
Singer Momtaz Begum is being challenged by Manikganj AL leader and industrialist Dewan Jahan Ahmed Tulu. His cousin and former footballer Dewan Safiul Arefin Tutul has also sought nomination from the same seat.
District AL Member and Singair Upazila Chairman Mushfiqur Rahman Khan Hannan, Harirampur Upazila Chairman Dewan Sayedur Rahman, Engineer Salam Chowdhury, Tariqur Rahman Wilton are among others seeking party ticket from the seat.
District AL Vice President and Hatipara Union Parishad Chairman Golam Munir Hossain and former member of parliament (MP) Samsuddin Ahammed’s son, Sahabuddin Ahmed Chanchal have also sought party nomination from the same seat.
Meanwhile, President of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Awami Projonmo League, Engineer Sarwar Alom, Hawkers League Convener Jakaria Hanif and Krishak Janata League Member Md Tanvir Ahammed have also submitted nomination papers for the constituency.
Former Bangladesh skipper Naimur Rahman Durjoy is the current lawmaker from Manikganj-1. To challenge him, Freedom Fighter also the district AL General Secretary Abdus Salam has submitted party nomination paper. Former MP and Shibaloy Upazila AL President Rezaur Rahman Khan, district AL Advisor Saluddin Mahmud Jahid, Daulatpur Upazila Chairman Mohammad Nurul Islam Raza and Daulatpur AL Member Md Shafiqur Islam complete the list of contenders from the seat.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque is being challenged by Freedom Fighter Badrul Islam Khan Bablu in Manikganj-3. He is the joint general secretary of district AL. Expatriate AL leader Dr Md Rafiq Khan, district AL Publicity Affairs President Tabarakul Tosaddek Hossain Khan Titu and Dhaka South City AL Member Khandker Tanvir Mannan have also sought party ticket from the seat.
As per schedule the 12th parliamentary polls will be held on January 7 and nominations are to be filed by November 30, which will be scrutinized from December 1 to 4. The last date for the withdrawal of nominations is December 17.