The parliamentary election in 36 constituencies of 10 districts under Khulna Division is expected to witness intense competition mainly between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Of these seats, BNP candidates appear to be in a strong position in 18 constituencies, while Jamaat candidates hold solid ground in 13 seats. However, rebel candidates are a headache for the BNP in at least 12 constituencies.
In Khulna-1 (Dacope–Batiaghata), with a total of 307,103 voters, the Hindu community plays a decisive role. Dacope is majority Hindu, while Batiaghata also has a significant Hindu population. BNP candidate Amir Ejaz Khan is considered well-positioned as there are eight Hindu candidates in the race. Jamaat candidate Krishna Nandi claims Jamaat will ensure dignity and protection for minorities if elected.
In Khulna-2 (Sadar), BNP faces internal divisions. Veteran BNP leader Nazrul Islam Manju has a strong personal image, while Jamaat’s Sheikh Jahangir Hossain Helal, a former city councilor, is actively campaigning and wooing younger voters. Observers note Jamaat’s vote share has increased in this constituency.
Khulna-3 is shaping up to be a three-way contest between BNP’s Rakibul Islam Bakul, Jamaat’s Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman, and Islami Andolan’s Md. A. Auwal. Independent candidate SM Arifur Rahman Mithu is also gaining momentum.
In Khulna-4, BNP’s Azizul Bari Helal is seen as the frontrunner. Jamaat has backed Khelafat Majlish candidate SM Sakhawat Hossain. Khulna-5, a Hindu-dominated seat, features a high-profile contest between Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Golam Parwar and BNP’s former MP Mohammad Ali Asgar Lobi. Both are actively courting minority voters.
In Khulna-6 (Koyra–Paikgachha), BNP’s SM Monirul Hasan Bappi faces Jamaat’s Md. Abul Kalam Azad.
In Bagerhat, multiple constituencies are witnessing three-way contests involving BNP, Jamaat, and independent candidates, notably MAH Selim, whose presence is seen as a potential vote-splitter for BNP.
In Satkhira, Jamaat and BNP candidates are locked in close contests across all four seats, with independents and BNP rebels adding complexity, especially in Satkhira-3 and Satkhira-4.
In Jashore, internal divisions within BNP have weakened its position in several seats. Jamaat candidates are actively capitalizing on this, particularly in Jashore-4 and Jashore-5, where rebel BNP candidates are in the race. Minority voting patterns in Monirampur are expected to be decisive.
In Chuadanga, Narail, Jhenaidah, Magura, Kushtia, and Meherpur, nearly all seats are witnessing direct BNP–Jamaat contests, with some constituencies experiencing triangular fights due to BNP rebels or independent candidates.
Political analysts note that while BNP remains strong overall in Khulna Division, internal disputes and rebel candidates could significantly impact results. Jamaat, leveraging organizational discipline and consolidated voter bases, is aiming to turn BNP’s internal challenges into electoral gains, particularly in constituencies where margins are expected to be narrow.
As the election campaign intensifies, the final outcomes in Khulna Division are likely to depend on voter turnout, minority voting behaviour, and the extent to which BNP can manage internal dissent before election day.
