For the upcoming national elections at Shunamganj 4 this year (Sadar-Biswamvarpur) Jatiya Party has nominated present MP Pir Fazlur Rahman Misbah but the Awami League and BNP are yet to decide on their choices.
Aspirants from all the parties are busy electioneering in this very important seat.
Shunamganj 4 candidates have no fixed vote bank and have good connection with locals.
Shunamganj 4 constituency consists of Dekhar haor, Kharchar haor and Angaruli haor. It is surrounded by the Surma and Chalti rivers. In the 530sq km of Sunamganj 4 constituency, there are 288,626 voters in total. It is home to 30 thousand Barkis (sand stone lifting workers) along with the Garo Hajong indigenous community. Most of the people here are farmers and fishermen.
From 1973 onwards, Awami League and BNP won in this seat three times each and Jatiya Party won for four times.
At present Jatiya Party has this seat but Awami League and the BNP want to dominate in the upcoming general polls.
Abdus Zahur Mia won in the 1991general elections representing Awami League from this constituency. Then in the 1996 and 2001 national elections, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's advisor Fazlul Haq Aspia became MP. As a candidate of the AL led alliance, Jatiya Party's Begum Momtaj Iqbal won during the 2008 national election. She got 123,883 votes. Her nearest opponent was BNP’s Fazlul Haque Aspia who received 58,964 votes. After Begum Momtaz Iqbal died, Matiur Rahman became the MP in the by-election. Jatiya Party Advocate Peer Fazlur Rahman Misbah won in the 2014 general election as an AL led alliance candidate.
Aspirants from Awami League for the Sunamganj 4 constituency are District Awami League President and former MP Alhaj Matiur Rahman and District Awami League General Secretary Barrister M Enamul Kabir Emon.
On the other hand from BNP, Sadar upazila Chairman and District BNP Senior Vice President Dewan Zaynul Zakerin, former whip and BNP chairperson's Advisor Fazlul Haq Aspia and District BNP General Secretary Nurul Islam Nurul are seeking nomination.
District Jatiya Party Convener Advocate Pir Fazlur Rahman Misbah said "I am always beside the locals. Education, health, communication system in the area has developed a lot. New infrastructures are being built in the area. I have a very strong stance against drugs, terrorism and corruption and so people have faith in me. All these should have a positive impact on the results of the next election. I believe that the voters will elect Jatiya Party by a huge margin in the upcoming national polls."
District Awami League President Alhaj Motiur Rahman is quite confident about getting nomination from Awami League.
He said “There is always leadership competition in the big parties. It is not a sign of internal conflict. I was an MP from this constituency. I still have good relations with general people. While I was MP development of area in all sectors was top most priority. I hope Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will nominate me.”
BNP aspirant and General Secretary of District BNP Nurul Islam Nurul said "BNP is yet to decide about participating in the polls. Now per the demand of the local BNP if I get nomination I will ensure victory for BNP in Shunamganj 4 constituency.
"So far the environment is not suitable for a free and fair election. If people get the opportunity to independently exercise their voting rights then BNP will be elected as government. BNP now is the most popular party in this constituency,” he added.
