Ahead of the national polls, 18 probable candidates from several political parties in Sylhet 3 constituency are busy establishing contact with the masses to draw the attention of voters, local leaders, and activists.
According to local sources, six aspirants from ruling party Awami League, five from Bangladesh Nationalist Party, five from Jatiya Party, one from Khilafat Majlis, and another one from Islami Andolan are trying to get their respective party nominations.
The candidates are participating in public functions and have already posted colourful banners, posters, festoons and graffiti to help promote their particular electoral pledges and sway undecided voters.
The constituency, which covers South Surma, Moglabazar area, Fenchuganj, and Balaganj upazila, is currently represented in parliament by district unit Awami League vice-president, Mahmud-Us Samad Chowdhury. There are 3,77,462 voters in the constituency.
From Awami League, current MP Mahmud-Us Samad Chowdhury, Central Organising Secretary Misbah Uddin Siraj, UK unit Relief and Social-welfare Secretary Habibur Rahman Habib, Assistant Attorney General of Supreme Court Abdur Rakib Mantu, former Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Shah Mujibur Rahman Zokon, and Sylhet district unit Awami League member Aklakur Rahman Chowdhury Selim, are all vying for Awami League nominations.
From BNP, former Sylhet district unit President and Advisor of Khaleda Zia, MA Haque, former MP Shafi Ahmed Chowdhury, Central Jubo Dal Former Vice-President Abdul Kayum Chowdhury, former UK unit Secretary Barrister Abdus Salam, and President MA Malek are seeking their party nominations.
From Jatiyo Party (Ershad), Presidium Member Atiqur Rahman Atique, Central Executive Member Usman Ali, Central Member Ataur Rahman Ata, UK expatriate Barrister Immanul Hammad Enam, and Muhidur Rahman are trying to woo their voters.
Sylhet district unit Khilafat Majlis Vice-President, Md Delwar Hossain, and Islami Andolan leader MA Matin are busy trying for 20-party alliance nominations.
Mahmud-Us Samad Chowdhury says constituency voters want him as a representative again as he has done a lot of development work in his tenure over the last two terms.
Misbah Uddin Siraj says, as an Awami League central leader, he wants to contest the polls. He hopes the voters will elect him.
MA Haque says he has been leading the BNP for 12 years. He claims he is a popular leader in his region. He hopes the people will support him to get the nomination.
Former MP Shafi Ahmed says the party will nominate him as he has worked for it committedly.
Kayum Chowdhury claims the voters want to see him as a candidate as he has worked hard and taken on challenges for the party.
MA Ahad Ali of the Surma area says people will elect a person who can ensure the security and development of the constituency.
Fenchuganj Degree College Principal, Vasgar Ranjan, says voters of the area want an honest and committed representative who will work for the development of the constituency.
