Ahead of the upcoming national polls, the ruling Awami League party faces a big challenge as four factional groups are working actively in Habiganj 1 constituency.
Awami League insiders say it will be a tough task for the party to effectively fight in the elections if the ongoing internal conflicts are not resolved before the polls.
Choosing the right candidates is now a big challenge for Awami League, which is eyeing its third consecutive term in power.
The constituency, comprised of Bahubal and Nabiganj upazilas, has a total of 319,928 registered voters and is currently represented in parliament by Jatiya Party (JaPa) leader, Munir Chowdhury Babu.
The ruling Awami League appears worried by the party’s internal feuds ahead of the upcoming national elections, said locals.
Factional disputes between the leaders may play a big role for the party in the elections, said insiders.
BNP candidates may take advantage of the Awami League’s factional feuds, they also said.
While the ruling party is busy showcasing their development projects to voters, its arch political rival BNP, is searching for ways to save its top brass from years of imprisonment.
Female reserve seat MP Keya Chowdhury, Habiganj Zila Parishad Governor Dr Mushfiq Hossain, Shah Milad Gazi ,son of former MP Dewan Farid Gazi, Nabiganj upazila chairman Alamgir Chowdhury, and central Jubo League leader Harunur Rashid, are lobbying for party tickets.
There are two separate Jubo League committees in Bahubal upazila. One faction is active, led by former upazila chairman Abdul Kadir Chowdhury, and Jubo League leader Waliur Rahman is working in favour of Kea Chowdhury.
Another faction led by Jubo League general secretary Tara Mia, is working for Dr Mushfiq Hossain.
In Nabiganj upazila, two factions are active. Alamgir Chowdhury leads one, while Dr Mushfiq Hossain leads another faction. Shah Milad Gazi, setting himself apart, is trying to work with a clean image.
Several sources from the Awami League believe that the BNP has become destabilized as its leaders are too busy dealing with court cases to remain politically active.
Ruling party leaders belonging to the policy making-level in the constituency, have said the BNP has become even weaker following the conviction of its Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, and her son Tarique Rahman, in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
Locals say Sheikh Sujat Mian, senior vice-president of BNP Sylhet district unit, is trying to organise the party activists.
Sabir Ahmed, mayor of Nabiganj Municipality, said there is no factional divide in BNP.
The activists and leaders in the constituency are united, led by Sujat.
He will win in the polls if the election is fair, added Sabir.
They have a big vote bank of the 20 party alliance, including BNP-Jammat, he also said.
JaPa leader Munir Chowdhury Babu was elected uncontested on January 5, 2014.
There are two factions of JaPa now in the constituency. One is led by Babu while Atiqur Rahman Atik leads another faction.
Bahubal upazila Awami League secretary Abdul Haye said, “The Awami League is a big party. There may be some factional problems. But we will work united for whoever gets the nomination.”
Babu says he will contest in the polls if he is nominated.
Sujat could not be contacted as he is now in London on business.
