Lakshmipur 3 may be a traditional stronghold of the BNP but the main opposition party will have to fight hard to regain the constituency from the ruling Awami League at the upcoming 11th National Elections.
Both Awami League and BNP are fielding heavyweight candidates in Lakshmipur 3, which is comprised of 12 unions and one municipality.
For the ruling party, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal is the incumbent MP after stealing the seat from BNP stalwart Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie in 2014.
The BNP publicity affairs secretary had previously been the constituency MP for two terms from 2001.
Before Annie, Adv Khairul Enam won the seat for BNP at the fifth and seventh national polls.
“I have been working to strengthen the local BNP and its associates to work actively for the party,” Annie said. “Since my student life I have given my best for my party and I will do the same in future.”
Annie said he is continuing to stand for the BNP nomination, despite “more than 50 false cases” being filed against him.
He will also need to fend off the challenge from District BNP Secretary General Shahad Uddin Sabu, another frontrunner in the nomination race.
“I was always active in field activities of my party,” Shahad said. “In 2013, I waged a strong protest against the government (and) served a long jail term for my party. I am urging my chairperson to nominate me.”
AL aspirants active
Before 2014, the Awami League had only won this seat only once: in the first general polls held in 1973.
Shahjahan has proved to be a strong local MP, however, and participates in almost all of his party’s rallies and social programs in the area.
• Annie won Lakshmipur 3’s seat in the 8th and 9th parliamentary elections
• Adv Khairul Enam won the seat in the 5th and 7th parliamentary elections
• Awami League won the seat in the 1st and 10th general polls
• In 1979, Jamaat central leader Master Shafiq Ullah and in 1986, JaPa candidate Mohammad Ullah won the seat
• The constituency is a BNP stronghold
“I am not distant from my area (and) I am very confident I will get the nomination,” MP Shahjahan said. “I take part in almost all the party activities here, and there is no confusion about me as the central command of my party.”
Other AL candidates for the nomination are Lakshmipur Municipality Mayor and ex-district general secretary Alhaj Md Abu Taher, Current District Awami League President Golam Faruk Pinku, and Dhaka Mohammadpur Thana President Principal MA Sattar.
There are also two young AL leaders vying for nominations: Awami League Industry Affairs Secretary and Delicate Group Chairman Delwar Hossain, and Cental Jubo League member Badrul Alam Shamol.
Delwar said: “I am working for the development of the area and to solve unemployment. If my party nominates me, this place will be a model for the whole country.”
Digital campaigns
Lakshmipur 3 was won in 1979 by Jamaat-e-Islami central leader Master Shafiq Ullah and in 1986 by Jatiya Party (JaPa) candidate Mohammad Ullah.
Keeping the upcoming national polls in mind, candidates of all parties are applying different tactics to persuade voters. Some are using digital banners, while others are canvassing voters in-person.
JaPa District General Secretary MR Masud has been conducting activities in the area.
Former Chhatra League and Central Organizational Secretary of Jashod (JSD) Adv Syed Belayet Hossain is also campaigning.
