Nine prominent Awami League leaders, including sitting Members of Parliament, have opted to run as independent candidates in nine out of the 16 constituencies in Chittagong. This unprecedented move has sparked intense competition within these constituencies, thereby reshaping the political landscape.
Whip Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, the current Member of Parliament in Patiya, is among those who have chosen to contest independently. Independent candidates Giash Uddin, Hossain Muhammad Abu Taiyab, Abdul Jabbar Chowdhury, and Abdul Motaleb have recently transitioned from positions of upazila chairmen to take part in the parliamentary election fray.
The roster also includes former mayor Manjur Alam in Chittagong-10 seat, Ziaul Haque Sumon, councillor of Chittagong City Corporation, in Chittagong-11, and Abduch Chalam, former chairman of CDA, in Chittagong-8 constituency.
Chittagong-1 (Mirsarai)
Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, the Awami League candidate, has withdrawn from the Chittagong-1 (Mirsarai) constituency, paving the way for his son Mahbub ur Rahman Ruhel. However, the recently resigned upazila chairman, Mohammad Gias Uddin, poses a strong challenge as an independent candidate, creating a competitive electoral landscape.
Joining the electoral fray in this constituency are five additional candidates. The contenders are Md Yusuf from the Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF), Sheikh Zulfiqar Bulbul Chowdhury representing the Bangladesh Muslim League (BML), Nurul Karim Abshar affiliated with the Bangladesh Supreme Party, Abdul Mannan from the Islamic Front Bangladesh, and Mohammad Emdad Hossain Chowdhury representing the Jatiya Party.
Chittagong-2 (Fatikchari)
Syed Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari, chairman of the Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, faces a symbol shift in Chittagong-2 (Fatikchari). The main contest is likely to be between the Awami League's Khadijatul Anwar Soni and the independent candidate, former upazila chairman Hossain Muhammad Abu Taiyeb.
The constituency also sees participation from five other candidates: Syed Saifuddin Ahmad Maizbhandari, chairman of the Bangladesh Supreme Party, Mir Mohammad Ferdous Alam from the Islamic Front, Md Shafiul Azam Chowdhury representing the Jatiya Party, Md Hamid Ullah from the Islamic Front, and independent candidate Mohammad Shahjahan.
Chittagong-5 (Hatazari)
In Chittagong-5 (Hathazari), the Awami League has taken the strategic decision to withdraw the candidature of MA Salam in favour of supporting Jatiya Party co-chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud. The withdrawal of Kalyan Party Chairman Syed Muhammad Ibrahim further shapes the contest, leaving Anisul Islam Mahmud to face a tough challenge from independent candidate Md Nazim Uddin.
The constituency features five additional candidates. They are the Supreme Party's Kazi Mohsin Chowdhury, independent candidate Muhammad Shahjahan Chowdhury, Islamic Front's Syed Muktar Ahmed, BNF's Abu Mohammad Shamsuddin, and Islamic Front Bangladesh's Syed Hafeez Ahmad.
Chittagong-8 (Boalkhali-Chandgaon)
The Awami League's decision in Chittagong-8 reconfigures the candidate lineup, withdrawing the candidature of current MP Noman Al Mahmud in favour of Chittagong Metropolitan Jatiya Party President Solaiman Alam Seth. The main competition is expected to be between Seth and independent candidate Abdus Salam.
The addition of eight more candidates further complicates the situation. They are BNF President Abul Kalam Azad, Awami League independent candidate and former councillor Vijay Kishan Chowdhury, Bangladesh Congress' Mahibur Rahman Bulbul, Trinamool BNP's Santosh Sharma, Kalyan Party's Md Eliach, Islamic Front's Syed Muhammad Farid Uddin, National People's Party's (NPP) Md Kamal Pasha, and Bangladesh Islamic Front's Abdul Nabi.
Chittagong-10 (Khulshi-Pahartali-Halisahar)
Current Member of Parliament Mohiuddin Bachchu faces an independent challenge from former city mayor Manjur Alam in Chittagong-10. Additionally, former joint convener of the Nagar Jubo League, Farid Mahmud, enters the fray as an independent candidate.
The constituency features six more candidates: Md Ferdaus Bashir of Trinamool BNP, Alamgir Hossain Baidi of the Bangladesh Islamic Front, Abul Bashar Mohammad Zainul Abedin of the Islamic Front Bangladesh, Mizanur Rahman of the Supreme Party, Zahurul Islam of the Jatiya Party, and Md Anisur Rahman of Jasad.
Chittagong-11 (Patenga-Bandar)
Chittagong-11 is likely to see a fierce battle between the Awami League's independent candidate, Ziaul Haque Sumon, and the incumbent MP, MA Latif.
Five additional candidates from different parties add to the competition. They are the Islamic Front's Abul Basar Mohammad Jainul Abedin, the Supreme Party's Md Mohiuddin, Trinamool BNP's Deepak Kumar Palit, the NPP's Narayan Rakshit, and Ganoforum's Ujjwal Bhowmik.
Chittagong-12 (Patiya)
The Awami League's nomination for Chittagong-12 has been secured by South District Awami League President Motaherul Islam Chowdhury. The current MP, Whip Samshul Haque Chowdhury, has chosen to run independently.
Besides, there are six more candidates in the polling field in this constituency. They are the Nationalist Movement's candidate M Yakub Ali, Jatiya Party's Md Nuruchfa Sarkar, Islamic Front's Kazi Md Jasim Uddin, Trinamool BNP's Rajiv Chowdhury, Bangladesh Congress' Syed Muhammad Zainul Abedin Jihadi, and Islamic Front's MA Matin.
Chittagong-15 (Satkania-Lohagara)
Incumbent MP Abu Reza Muhammad Nezamuddin Nadwi, representing the Awami League, contends for the boat symbol against independent candidate Abdul Motaleb.
An additional five candidates contribute to the diversity in this constituency. They are Md Chalem of the Jatiya Party, Md Ali Hossain of the Bangladesh Islamic Front, Solaiman Kashemi of the Kalyan Party, Md Harun of the Islami Oikya Jote, and Md Jasim Uddin of Muktijot.
Chittagong-16 (Banskhali)
In Chittagong-16 (Banskhali), the Awami League has nominated the current Member of Parliament, Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury. Meanwhile, district Awami League vice-president Mujibur Rahman is running as an independent candidate.
Besides, there are eight more candidates in the polling field in this constituency. They are independent candidate and Awami League leader Abdullah Kabir Liton, independent candidate Md Khalekuzzaman, NPP's Muhammad Mamun Abshar Chowdhury, Bangladesh Islami Front's Md Mohiul Alam Chowdhury, Congress M Zillur Karim Sharifi, Islamic Front Bangladesh's Abdul Malek, NAP's Ashish Kumar Shill, and Islami Oikya Jote Md Shawkat Hossain Chatgami.
