Comilla 5 is comprised of 17 unions under Burichang and Brahmanpara upazilas.
The ruling Awami League seeks a hat-trick in this constituency, but BNP is determined to reestablish its dominance in the area. Jatiya Party is also planning to contest from this constituency.
Awami League Presidium Member and incumbent lawmaker advocate Abdcoul Matin Khasru, and Central BNP Vice-Chairman Shawkat Mahmud are among those who collected nomination forms from their respective parties.
Khasru also served as the law minister under the Sheikh Hasina-led cabinet from 1997 to 2001.
The prospective candidates are making a serious effort to woo voters through meetings, seminars and rallies as part of electioneering.
So far, eight aspirants from the Awami League and ten from the BNP have collected nomination forms.
Awami League nomination seekers |
AL Presidium Member, incumbent lawmaker advocate Abdul Matin Khasru Comilla south district AL Joint General Secretary Md Sazzad Hossain Swapan Comilla south district AL Executive Committee member Md Abdus Salam Ex-assistant secretary of central AL sub-committee Prof Abu Salek Dhaka Division Sector Commanders’ Forum Legal Affairs Secretary Barrister Sohrab Khan Central leader of Jubo League Professor Md Ali Chowdhury Manik |
Jatiya Party’s Md Tajul Islam has also collected a nomination form.
BNP nomination seekers |
Central BNP Vice-Chairman and journalist leader Shawkat Mahmud Ex-lawmaker Md Yunus Ex-lawmaker Mojibur Rahman Krishak Dal ex-vice president ASM Alauddin Bhuiyan Comilla south BNP Assistant Organizing Secretary Jasim Uddin Comilla south BNP member Dr Nazrul Islam Burichang upazila Chairman and local BNP President Md Mizanur Rahman Mizanur Rahman’s wife Khadiza Rahman |
According to local political sources, Prof Md Yunus won this seat representing Awami League in 1973, independently in 1986, representing Jatiya Party in 1988 and representing BNP in 2001.
BNP’s Mojibur Rahman won this seat in 1996. Awami League’s Abdul Matin Khasru was elected lawmaker in the elections of 1991, 1996, 2008 and 2014.
These prospective candidates are busy reorganizing their respective parties and campaigning for the upcoming election.
Stating that this constituency had witnessed significant number of development activities from him, incumbent lawmaker Abdul Matin said: “With the support of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, I carried out development worth several thousand crores taka.
“If someone else is elected lawmaker of Comilla 5, the person will not have to build anything new; maintaining the current projects will be enough. I will turn these two upazilas into a city if I am elected again through the people’s support.”
Matin’s supporters are confident that if he gets nominated, the incumbent lawmaker will certainly win this seat again.
On the other hand, BNP’s nomination seeker and journalist leader Shawkat Mahmud said: “The sheaf of paddy symbol will seize victory in this constituency through the support of its leaders, activists and followers, provided that the general election is held in a free and fair manner.”
