Gopalganj, the home district of the father of the nation and Awami League founder, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, comprises five upazilas.
The district encompasses three constituencies and all of them are strongholds of the ruling Awami League.
Awami League candidates have won all the constituency’s elections held since independence.
Gopalganj 1, consisting of Muksudpur and parts of Kashiani upazilas, is already abuzz with numerous activities by prospective candidates— ahead of the 11th general election, scheduled to be held on the last week of December.
Streets and markets are covered with colourful posters, banners, and festoons.
These candidates, yet to be nominated, have already started forming and campaigning.
Awami League Presidium Member Lt Col (Retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan has been leading this constituency since 1996.
There is, seemingly, no internal feud in this constituency. However, discontent prevails among the leaders and activists of Awami League and its associated wings over a number of issues—including the previous upazila and union parishad elections.
This time voters might see a new candidate. Some speculate that Bangabandhu’s youngest daughter, Sheikh Rehana, will run for this constituency.
Faruk will likely contest the election from a Dhaka constituency.
Sheikh Rehana’s run might bring an end to the discontent among the local leaders.
Local leaders hope, if nominated, she will win the election bagging a record number of votes.
Local leaders assume that if Sheikh Rehana does not run, Awami League Advisory Council Member Mukul Bose, from Muksudpur, might get the nomination.
Faruk Khan, who was elected MP from this constituency four times, said he is working for the development of the area and the people.
He said he will seek the nomination to contest the upcoming election from this parliamentary seat.
“The party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will nominate the person who she thinks is competent,” the Awami League presidium member said.
Mukul said he will also seek the nomination to contest for this constituency. He demanded the party’s top brass to evaluate the leaders who contributed a lot to the party. “I hope the party chief will assess the dedicated leaders.”
Other prospective Awami League candidates include: reserved women’s seat MP Umme Razia Kajal, Harun-or-Rahid Miron, Ali Asif Khan, Arifa Rahman Ruma, Sheikh Atiar Rahman Dipu, and KM Masudur Rahman.
The local BNP party is not very powerful in the Awami League stronghold. Over the last nine years, the party has not organized any activities.
The BNP candidates of Gopalganj 1 have fared badly in previous elections and lost their deposits.
The prospective candidates include former BNP district unit chief FE Shorfuzzaman Jahangir, Selimuzzaman Selim, Syed Jainul Abedin Mezbah. They have already started campaigning.
Jahangir, who was elected MP in the controversial general election held in 1996, said he was interacting with the locals on a regular basis. “If I get the party ticket I will get adequate votes.”
Jatiya Party’s likely candidates are Kashiani upazila unit General Secretary Abdul Mannan Sheikh Munnu and Dipa Majumder.
Azam Sharif might run as the candidate of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu) and Mizanur Rahman as the candidate of Islami Andolan.
