With the 11th general election coming closer, prospective candidates in Lakshmipur 2 constituency are more engaged in campaigning.
Awami League aspirants are far ahead of BNP hopefuls when it comes to campaigning.
The BNP aspirants are waiting to see under which government the upcoming election will be held and whether the party will participate in the election.
Lakshmipur 2 constituency consists of Raipur upazila and nine unions of sadar upazila. During the 10th election, held in 2014, Jatiya Party (Ershad) district unit President Md Noman was elected as an MP, unopposed.
Noman and Jatiya Party’s central committee Member Faizullah Sheikh Shipon are seeking the party’s nomination for the upcoming election—scheduled to be held by the end of December.
In the previous election, Awami League did not run a candidate in this constituency because of its negotiations with Jatiya Party.
Awami League aspiring nominees include: district unit’s General Secretary Nur Uddin Chowdhury Nayan, Kuwait unit’s Convener and businessman Shahidul Islam Papul, central Awami League’s Youth and Sports Affairs Secretary Harun-ur-Rashid, district unit’s Health Affairs Secretary Ehsanul Kabir Zoglul, former district Awami League youth and sports affairs secretary and Lakshmipur Bar Public Prosecutor, Md Jashim Uddin.
BNP’s aspiring nominees are: former MP and district unit President Abul Khair Bhuiyan, central BNP legal affairs Deputy Secretary Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan, central BNP’s Co-organizing Secretary Harun Rashid, and BNP chairperson’s Security Adviser, Col Abdul Mazid.
Jatiya Party has not secured a foothold in Lakshmipur 2 as the party is weak in terms of its organizing activities. Therefore, if BNP joins the election fray, it will face tight competition from Awami League.
Local Awami League leaders accepted incumbent Jatiya Party MP Noman, honouring the party’s decision, but this time they want a candidate from their party to receive the nomination to contest the election.
Since being elected Awami League’s district unit general secretary, Nur Uddin has been organizing activities in BNP strongholds.
Awami League candidates won the recently-held municipality and union parishad elections.
Nur Uddin said since this constituency consists of the largest area and the most voters, the party should nominate a candidate who works at the grassroots level.
“If I get the nomination I am hopeful that I will win. But if the party nominates someone else, we will work together to ensure the victory of the candidate,” he said.
Kuwait-based businessman Shahidul, the other aspiring nominee, has been interacting with the people of the constituency for the last two years.
He has spent a lot of money on donations, including providing an ambulance for Raipur hospital, two vans for Raipur police station, and an ambulance for the district police.
“I want to serve the people. I need their cooperation so that I can do something for them,” said Shahidul, who recently started campaigning.
Jatiya Party MP Noman said he has worked for the development of the constituency over the last five years. “I am hopeful of getting the nomination if the party contests the election unilaterally or as part of an alliance.”
BNP district unit President Abul Khair said this constituency is their party’s stronghold.
“I hope the party will nominate me. During the BNP-led government’s term, this constituency saw much development. If our party contests in the election, voters will vote for us.”
Another aspirant, Zakir Hossain, said if he gets the party ticket, he will win in the election. “Even if the party nominates somebody else we will work together for the candidate.”
