There are five constituencies under Chandpur district. Chandpur 2 constituency consists of Matlab North and Matlab South upazila. Local Awami League leaders and supporters are all prepared for the upcoming national election but BNP is yet to decide about their participation.
However, local BNP leaders and activists have said they are all prepared and are waiting for the green signal from the party.
Disaster and Relief Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya is the probable candidate from Awami League for this constituency. Among all the aspirants seeking Awami League’s nomination, local businessman M Esfak Ahsan is his main competition.
Esfak is quite confident about securing party nomination to contest in the Chadpur 2 constituency.
Aspirants have already started conducting meetings and rallies to win the hearts of the voters. They are also busy trying to secure nomination from their respective parties. Posters and billboards carrying the election vibe can be seen all across the constituency.
AL has the upper hand
Present Member of Parliament and Disaster and Relief Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya was elected unopposed in the last national polls. There was doubt among the followers and supporters of Maya whether he will be able to participate in the 11th parliamentary elections as he was charged for corruption.
However, the charges against him were proven false in court.
For the last few months, prominent local businessman M Esfak Ahsan has been campaigning to seek party nomination. To counter, Maya’s son Sajedul Haque Dipu Chowdhury ran campaigns throughout the constituency to maintain stronghold of the Chowdhury family in the area.
Locals said most of the local leaders and activists of Awami League are Maya's followers. For the last 10 years they all have been enjoying benefits, especially regarding government contracts and tenders.
Besides, former MP and retired Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Central Awami League leader Advocate Nurul Amin Ruhul, and local Krishak League leader Amirul Islam Khoka are also in the nomination race.
Awami League nomination aspirant M Esfaq Ahsan said: “We have done various social activities in the two Matlab upazilas. I have built around 6,500 houses for the poor people. There are multiple aspirants seeking the Awami Leagues nomination, but I am trying to resolve the internal conflicts among the local leaders and supporters. Hopefully I will be able to present this seat to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
“There is a need for young leadership to build Digital Bangladesh. If I get the nomination, I will remove drugs and corruption from this constituency,” he added.
Matlab North upazila Awami League President Advocate Ruhul Amin said: “Most of the activists of the Matlab are on the side of Minister Maya. We want to see him as an MP in the upcoming national elections.”
BNP ready but not sure
In contrast, BNP activists and supporters are still waiting for a green signal to seek party nomination for the national election.
The organizational status of the local BNP is weak; the death of former BNP law maker Nurul Huda not making matters any better.
However, BNP’s Central Leader Dr Jalal Uddin Ahmed has assumed the leadership role to rebuild BNP, seeking nomination from the party.
Besides, BNP chairperson's Adviser Ataur Rahman Dhali, late Nurul Huda’s son Tanvir Huda Shuvo, former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Mostafa Khan Safari and Dhaka Metropolitan Northern BNP Senior Joint General Secretary Anwaruzzaman Anwar are also seeking party nomination.
BNP chairperson's Adviser Ataur Rahman Dhali said: “The issue of election is not clear to us yet. Our leader is in jail. Our leader has been sentenced in false cases. The 7-point demand has been presented by the united front to restore the voting rights of the people. We want a free, fair, and neutral election. If our demands are met only then I will contest in the next national election.”
