As across the country, electoral campaigns are going on in full swing in Comilla.
But among its 11 constituencies, the Comilla-6 (Sadar) seat has been at the heart of discussion in the district due to a longstanding rift between the Awami League candidate-cum-incumbent lawmaker and a reserved seat MP, who is also an independent aspirant.
A number of chases and counter-chases have also been reported between two groups of leaders and supporters of the two candidates.
The ruling party’s candidate, AKM Bahauddin Bahar, has been regularly in the news for the last few months -- all for some grave reasons.
In the latest development, the local election inquiry committee recommended legal action against him after he was found guilty of breaching the electoral code of conduct by attacking journalists.
It came as he was served three show-cause notices for the code breach recently. Also, one of the notices was issued as he warned that if BNP-Jamaat activists are found campaigning in the 12th national parliamentary election, their arms and legs should be broken.
Blame game
Sima, vying with the Eagle symbol, alleged that Bahar has been patronizing the anti-Awami League forces in the area for the last 15 years despite being elected with the party’s Boat symbol.
“He (Bahar) worked against the party candidates in the 2011 and 2017 Comilla city elections,” she said, adding that the constituency did not see the expected development over the years.
“So, the locals want a change,” said a confident Sima.
On the development front, Bahar rejected Sima’s allegation and said: “During my three terms in a row, my constituency underwent a heavy development, especially in the infrastructure sector.
When asked about attacking political rivals (from both his party and the BNP), religious minorities and journalists, Bahar said: “It is all propaganda by the media.”
Bahar is optimistic that he will continue his winning streak.
Decades-long row
An MP since the 2008 polls, Bahar was given the party ticket as the Awami League is hopeful about his fourth straight win in the constituency.
Other than his rivalry with Sima, he was in open conflict with her father and veteran Awami League leader, Afzal Khan, who died in November 2021.
Their political dispute, which many say lasted for nearly 20 years, was settled in 2008 when Bahar was elected lawmaker for the first time.
However, it emerged again as Bahar reportedly failed to keep on good terms with Afzal and his family. Instead, he is accused of trying to get closer to a faction of the BNP.
Bahar was against Afzal in the 2012 Comilla city polls and he was a rival to Sima in the city election in 2017.
Other complications
Already in controversy, Bahar may find the voting tougher than thought if religious minorities back Sima, who is also the vice president of the Comilla city unit Awami League.
The equation of his election race may get even more difficult if Sima manages to get the votes of a faction of the BNP and Jamaat supporters.
It is reported that Sima has been trying to get the support of two-time Comilla city mayor and expelled BNP leader Monirul Haque Sakku. She is also said to be trying to get the backing of the Jamaat.
Sakku still has a huge “vote bank”, which can be a game-changer for the constituency.
Also, Sakku may reach a consensus either with Bahar or Sima by settling down the political conflicts among them before the next by-election to the city corporation as the city mayor died on December 13.
But sources said Sima is highly likely to get the support of Sakku and Jamaat.
Bahar already engaged in a rift with the local Hindu community during Durga Puja in October, which garnered nationwide criticism. So, the chances of them voting for him are very slim.
The constituency
There are 415,801 votes in the Comilla-6 seat which covers Adarsha Sadar Upazila, the city corporation, cantonment and Sadar Dakshin Upazila’s Goliara Union Parishad.
Jatiya Party’s Ahmed Selim and Bangladesh Supreme Party’s Abdul Mazid are also in the polls race for the constituency.
Bahar’s row with Sakku
Even though it is a widespread notion that Bahar strongly helped the BNP leader become the city mayor twice, the Awami League MP is now in a rift with him.
Their relationship turned sour after MP Bahar's follower, Arfanul Haque Rifat, became a candidate in the mayoral election last year. Rifat won the polls with 50,310 votes, defeating Sakku by only 342 votes.
Accusations and counter-accusations between Sakku and Bahar began a few months after Rifat took office. Bahar called Sakku corrupt on various occasions. Sakku also hurled a counter-allegation at Bahar.
What civil citizens say
Female leader Papri Basu said that the candidates try their level best to become victorious regardless of their political identity.
“But I’d suggest that Bahar and Sima keep faith in the voters,” Papri said.
Shah Md Alamgir Khan, president of Sachetan Nagorik Committee, Comilla chapter, said: “No matter who wins, the public interest should be given the highest priority.”
