The ruling Awami League has announced its candidates for the upcoming national parliamentary elections.
Along with the inclusion of some surprise picks, there were some heavyweight leaders dropped from the list.
One of them is Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain, incumbent Faridpur-3 MP. He served as a minister for two consecutive terms in the Awami League government. However, District Awami League president Shamim Haque has been nominated for his seat.
Instead of Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain's son-in-law Habibe Millat, Sirajganj-2 MP, District Awami League Joint General Secretary Jannat Ara Henry has been nominated for the boat symbol.
Jamalpur-4 MP Murad Hasan has been dropped for Mahbubur Rahman, secretary of Fisheries and Animal Affairs of Swechasebak League.
Mahbubur Rahman’s father Abdul Malek was once a Member of Parliament of Awami League.
Ex-State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossain's constituency was Kurigram-4. Awami League's information and research subcommittee member Md Biplab Hasan has been nominated this time.
Former home minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir also did not get a party nomination this time. Awami League Information and Research Secretary Salim Mahmud has been nominated for his seat, Chandpur-1.
Pankaj Nath, former general secretary of Swechasebak League, became Member of Parliament twice in a row from Barisal-4 constituency. This time Awami League's International Affairs Secretary Shammi Ahmed has been nominated as a candidate for the first time.
Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin became an MP in the Dhaka-10 by-election. This time the boat symbol has been handed over to Dhallywood actor Ferdous Ahmed.
Former inspector general of police and Kishoreganj-2 MP Noor Mohammad did not get party nomination this time. Another former police officer, Abdul Kahar Akand has been nominated by Awami League.
Saifuzzaman Shikhar is currently representing Magura-1 constituency in Parliament. His father was a Member of Parliament four times. This time, Bangladesh national cricket team captain Shakib Al Hasan has received a party nomination.
Member of Parliament for Manikganj-1 Constituency Naimur Rahman Durjoy, former captain of the national cricket team, also lost the party nomination. District Awami League General Secretary Md Abdus Salam has been nominated by Awami League.
Enamul Haque, member of parliament for Rajshahi-4 has been dropped this time. Abul Kalam Azad, member of Awami League's sub-committee on forest and environment has been nominated.
Tanveer Imam, son of late HT Imam, former adviser to the prime minister, has been dropped this time. Former Member of Parliament Shafiqul Islam has been nominated in his constituency, Sirajganj-4.
Begum Monnujan Sufian, Khulna-3 MP and the state minister for labor has been dropped to make way for Awami League's Organizing Secretary SM Kamal Hossain.
Barguna-2 Constituency MP Showkat Hasanur Rahman (Rimon). This time, Sultana Nadira, Member of Parliament for the reserved women's seat, has been nominated there.
Waresat Hussain Belal, Member of Parliament for Netrokona-5 Constituency has been replaced by Awami League Organizing Secretary Ahmed Hossain.
Jahangir Kabir Nanak, presidium member of Awami League got party nomination for Dhaka-13, replacing Sadek Khan.
Sunamganj-1 Member of Parliament Moazzem Hossain Ratan. This time, he has been replaced by District Awami League Organizing Secretary Ranjit Chandra Sarkar.
Sunamganj-2 MP Joya Sengupta, wife of late Awami League leader Suranjit Sen Gupta, has been excluded from the list. Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mahmud, brother of IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, has been nominated for this seat.