The election battle for Thakurgaon 1 constituency is likely to be fought by Awami League Presidium Member, and incumbent lawmaker, Ramesh Chandra Sen, and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Sen.
These two heavyweights contested in the previous two national elections—excluding the January 5 polls. Mirza Fakhrul became lawmaker of this constituency in 2001. Incumbent lawmaker Ramesh Chandra Sen snatched his victory in 2008, and became the water resources minister.
Dinajpur was divided into three separate districts – Thakurgaon, Dinajpur and Panchagarh – in 1984. Thakurgaon is home to 1,500,000 people, and is comprised of three constituencies. There are 420,000 voters in Thakurgaon 1.
Whispers within the political arena state that Ramesh Chandra and Mirza Fakhrul will represent their respective parties in the next parliamentary election.
Heavyweight candidates on both sides
According to BNP sources, Mirza Fakhrul is the only prospective candidate in this constituency. Meanwhile, multiple nomination-aspirants are in the running for the local Awami League unit.
Despite the imprisonment of BNP Chief Khaleda Zia, party leaders, activists, and supporters are paying the utmost attention to the statements, rallies, and events organized by Mirza Fakhrul—who has been serving as the face of the BNP.
Mirza Fakhrul won the seat in 2001. He has served as the state minister for the agriculture ministry, and later the civil aviation and tourism ministry. Fakhrul presently serves as BNP’s secretary general.
He is busy with polls-time activities such as mass rallies and public relations campaigns.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked people to vote for the boat symbol, in the three Thakurgaon constituencies, during a mass rally on March 29.
Incumbent lawmaker Ramesh Chandra Sen has served as minister for water resources and food ministries, and currently holds the position of an Awami League Presidium member.
During his tenure as a lawmaker, he fulfilled his electoral pledges by building: roads, bridges, schools, and union parishad offices in remote rural areas. He is campaigning in his constituency, and spending time to re-organize his party in preparation for the 11th national election.
Prospective Awami League Candidates |
• Incumbent Awami League MP Ramesh Chandra Sen • District Awami League General Secretary and Zila Parishad Chairman Sadiq Qureshi • District Awami League President Advocate Mokbul Hossain Babu • Diplomat Shahedul Islam • Sadar upazila Awami League President Arunagsha Dutta Tito • Former upazila vice chairman and Jubo Mohila League President Tahmina Haque Molla • District Awami League Legal Affairs Secretary Advocate Indranath Roy |
A faction of the local unit Awami League prefers diplomat Shahedul Islam as a prospective candidate for the next election. Shahedul’s supporters complain that Ramesh has grown distant from party leaders and activists.
Jubo Mohila League President Tahmina Haque Molla and Sadar upazila Awami League President Arunagsha Dutta Tito have represented Awami League in previous polls, but some consider their defeat the result of internal party disputes.
Both veteran politicians are making a serious effort to secure Awami League’s nomination.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, district Awami League General Secretary and Zila Parishad Chairman Sadiq Qureshi said the district Awami League suffers from no internal disputes, and the party is stronger than ever.
BNP district unit General Secretary Mirza Foysol Amin echoed the statement, saying: “BNP has been unified in this region since its inception. No notable disputes have occurred here so far.”
According to sources, Jatiya Party is set to nominate district unit General Secretary Raziur Reza Swapan. Meanwhile, district Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President and President of Thakurgaon Press Club Mansur Ali could represent his party in the polls.
Workers Party leader Advocate Imran Hossain is also seeking a nomination to contest in the upcoming parliamentary election.
