Madaripur 3 constituency, which is comprised of Kalkini-Dasar and part of the sadar, is abuzz with election campaigns and enthusiastic voters.
The constituency is in a festive mood, and so far it is the busiest among the district’s three constituencies, as both the ruling Awami League and the BNP have fresh faces contesting the 11th parliamentary election.
Visiting the constituency, the Dhaka Tribune has found that the upcoming election has become the most discussing issue in almost every tea stalls, markets and on the streets.
The three heavyweights contesting from Madaripur 3 are: Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap from the Awami League, Anisur Rahman Talukder from the BNP and Professor Syed Belayet Hossain from the Islami Andolan.
This is the first time the Awami League and the BNP candidates are contesting in a general election. They are passing a busy time campaigning from early morning to late at night, in a bid to woo the voters.
There have also been incidents of clash, attacks and vandalism committed by supporters of Awami League and BNP candidates.
A number of BNP supporters have complained that their polls campaign is being disrupted by Awami League supporters and a few officials from the administration.
Compared to the BNP candidate, a large number of posters, banners and loudspeakers featuring the Awami League candidate were found in the area.
Speaking to the correspondent, grassroots leaders and activists of the ruling party criticized their candidate by saying he is not putting too much focus on the common people in his campaign, and is not properly covering the election campaign expenses.
On the other hand, BNP candidate Anisur Rahman Talukder is focusing on the grassroots, by visiting people in the remote areas and asking for support. He has also managed to unify the district chapter of the BNP.
Discussing the upcoming polls, Rasel Baperi, a voter in the constituency said: “We, the people, want nothing but a fair election held in a peaceful environment.”
Echoing the same opinion, first-time voter Sharmin Akter said: “We are a new generation of voters, and we will vote for the candidate who is the most capable.
“We prefer a lawmaker who will support the people of this constituency by developing educational institutions and roads.”
Kalkini upazila BNP President Md Fazlul Haque said: “We are in contact with the voters, and they are concerned over the inclusiveness of the upcoming polls. However, we are optimistic that the election atmosphere will be peaceful.
“If the voters are allowed to vote the candidate of their choice, BNP will win by a huge margin.”
Awami League President of the same upazila, Prof Tahmina Siddique said: “Local chapters of Chhatra League, Jubo League and other associate organizations are working in unison to make victory possible for the Awami League candidate.
“We are very hopeful that the ruling party candidate will win by landslide.”
