The main opposition BNP is confident of stealing the Thakurgaon 1 constituency at the upcoming 11th national election since it is fielding only one nomination aspirant against a local ruling party unable to choose among 11 candidates for the December poll.
Uncertainty among the local Awami League leaders and activists over who will be able to secure the nomination has delayed the ruling party in campaigning for the seat, which has 421,662 registered voters spread across one municipality and 21 unions.
Instead, the 11 nomination-aspirants who have already submitted their forms are lobbying the party’s high command in their bids to clinch the ticket.
For the BNP, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is the sole contender, boosting the confidence of local BNP supporters and activists.
Local BNP leader Mirza Faisal Amin said: “As you can see, in one party there is only one nomination-aspirant and in the other party there are no less than 11 people fighting to secure the party’s nomination. This is self-explanatory.
“BNP’s fight is not only centered on forming the government. We are fighting for people's rights - to protect the judiciary and the country as a whole.”
Awami League undecided
Thakurgaon’s Awami League prepared for the election a year in advance, keeping the ruling party’s incumbent MP, Ramesh Chandra Sen, in mind as the party’s candidate.
However, due to his alleged connections to corrupt local leaders and reportedly biased political stances against anyone opposing his decisions and leadership, local veteran leaders and grassroots-level party workers are trying to find an alternative nominee.
“The people of Thakurgaon 1 constituency demand change so I have encouraged better prospects to submit their nomination forms to the party,” Senior sadar upazila Awami League leader Amir Hossain said.
“However, no matter what, we will abide by our party’s decision and work for the nominated candidate.”
Despite the aforementioned allegations, Ramesh Chandra Sen also has strong support in the area.
One of his core allies, Thakurgaon district Awami League Organizing Secretary Mostaq Alam Tulu said: “Awami League is a very strong party. Some people are conspiring to create divisions in the party to implement BNP-Jamaat agenda.
“All the local Awami League supporters and activists are united and eager to work for their leader, our leader, Ramesh Chandra Sen. We hope that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will nominate him to guarantee the government’s development work continues.”
Another AL hopeful, the district Awami League general secretary Sadek Kuraishi said he was the candidate who took the responsibility for rebuilding the party from the grassroots in the time of crisis in 2001.
“I worked very hard to resolve all the internal conflicts,” he said. “I went village-to-village to gain party support and maintain connections with the general population of the area. If our leader decides to nominate me then I am more than ready to contest in the upcoming general polls.”
Other AL candidates in Thakurgaon 1 are former three-time MP and diplomat Sahedul Islam Sahed; former upazila vice-chairman and Jubo Mohila League president, Tahmina Akter Mollah; former governor and district Awami League vice-president, Advocate Makbul Hossain Babu; and former Jubo League president and current sadar upazila Awami League president, Arunangshu Datta Tito.
Also in contention are former BCL leader Raju Reza Khokon Chowdhury, district Awami League Legal Affairs Secretary Indranath Roy, former Thakurgaon district Chatra League President Kamrul Hasan Khokon, Mohila Awami League leader Anjumanoyara Bonna, and district Awami League Secretary of Commerce Shamsuzzman Dulal.
Certain and confident BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the sole nomination-seeker from Thakurgaon 1 constituency, has fuelled the hopes of local BNP supporters and activists.
A lack of internal conflicts about nominations has led the party to believe it will win this seat for BNP in the upcoming general election.
Local BNP leader Mirza Faisal Amin said: "I do not want to come to any early conclusions but the general people of our country will decide which party is more organized and united and is keen to making their lives better.
“Our leader, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, is fighting the battle to regain democracy - with direction provided by Khaleda Zia and Tarek Zia. This will surely be reflected in the upcoming general election by the general people of Thakurgaon.”
