It could have been just another quiet by-poll; but recent events have given tomorrow’s Narayanganj 5 votes the centre stage, with not just contenders but general citizens thinking that voter turnout may end up deciding fates.
The constituency was vacated on April 30 with the death of Jatiya Party lawmaker Nasim Osman, who belonged to the mighty Osman family that has been making frequent news headlines since the sensational seven murders in the port city.
In this election too, the mighty family has a runner - Selim Osman, brother of current Awami League MP Shamim Osman and late Nasim.
Local voters say it will not be a cakewalk for JaPa nominee Selim because they believe that independent candidate SM Akram has a fair chance of winning. They are citing the example of the 2011 Narayanganj City Corporation poll where “minnow” Selina Hayat Ivy took down goliath Shamim Osman.
However, for Akram to leave a mark, the challenge will be to ensure voter presence at the polling centres, local voters also say.
Although Akram is running on his own in tomorrow’s poll, he has long been known for his affiliations with the ruling Awami League as a senior leader with a clean image.
Voters say chances are high that not only will he get the votes of a section of local ruling party supporters, but may also be blessed with anti-Awami League votes from BNP-Jamaat men,.
Akram left Awami League after the 2011 city polls and local residents said the prevailing anti-Osman sentiment would end up helping his cause immensely.
Then again, although the country will be keeping a close watch on the outcomes and virtually everyone in the port city is talking about the poll, this correspondent has seen very little enthusiasm among the voters about eventually going to the centres and practicing their franchise.
“Although plough [Selim’s electoral symbol] can be seen everywhere, he [Selim] does not have much support. If the poll is free and fair, then pineapple’s [Akram’s symbol] victory is inevitable,” said Abdul Hamid, who pulls rickshaw in the port city for a living.
Seeking anonymity, a local businessman said nobody was sure about how things will go on the voting day.
“Voters will see what happens in the morning session. If no major untoward incident takes place, then they may start going to the polling centers in the second half of the day. If that happens, then Akram should win,” the businessman said.
Although the BNP-Jamaat clan is boycotting this one too, the bipolarity that characterises national politics is also to be seen in this local election.
One part of the local politicians are campaigning for Selim Osman while the remaining part for Akram.
Sources said a number of senior and influential leaders of BNP-Jamaat have extended their support to Akram because they do not like the Osman family.
Although there is no specific directive for the supporters of BNP-Jamaat about voting, interestingly, both Selim and Akram said they were confident about bagging their votes.
Selim Osman said: “I have taken to the field to win. Technique is important. We need proper passing and goal scoring.”
Saying that “vote banks” did not exist, he claimed that he was confident about getting mandates no matter which party they belonged to.
Talking to the contenders and local political leaders, the Dhaka Tribune has learnt that a section of Awami League supporters, who are mainly followers and activists of Shamim Osman; BNP supporters led by Narayanganj BNP president Taimur Alam Khandakar; and a group of businessmen have been working in favour of Selim Osman.
On the other hand, apart from BNP-Jamaat supporters, businessmen and section of Awami League supporters, Akram is also getting the support of city mayor Ivy’s supporters.
Although there is no visible presence of JaPa in the constituency, president of the local unit of the party Abu Jaher said they had been working hard to ensure Selim’s victory.
Anwar Hossain, president of the local unit of Awami League, first filed for his candidacy but later pulled out obeying party orders. Although Anwar has not been actively working for Akram, his followers are.
District BNP chief Taimur, known for having close ties with the Osman family, is now abroad. BNP leaders said Taimur was asked to keep away from election.
However, ATM Kamal, secretary of district BNP, said: “We will not be on the side of any criminal. BNP will not vote for any criminal.”
The Osman family, which has always enjoyed long reign over Narayanganj, has often been associated with various crimes in the city.
The name of Shamim Osman, often called “godfather,” has been virtually linked with every major crime in the city including the Twoki murder and the more recent seven murders.