The root-level activists of both the ruling Awami League (AL) and BNP under Thakurgaon Municipality have become active as a partisan polls, first of its kind in the country, appears soon.
About 234 municipalities across the country would see the elections on December 30 the final date set by the Election Commission.
The activists with a great enthusiasm are preparing themselves to work for their party-backed candidates.
Mayoral aspirants are lobbying to secure ticket from their respective parties. In line with the public-gathering in secret, they have increased communication with local lawmakers and senior party leaders. They believe that party-backing would increase the chance of their wining by 50% while the gap could be filled up by their personal image.
Particularly the local AL has become more active to keep their influence unchallenged. A total of five mayoral aspirants are trying heart and soul to get AL ticket.
On the contrary, struggling BNP activists are trying to make a comeback win through participating in the municipal polls. It was widely discussed that BNP acting general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s younger brother Mirza Foysal Amin could get party backing for the polls. But Thakurgaon BNP Vice-President Golam Sarwar Chowdhury Ranju surprisingly remained active in hidden canvass.
Many local leaders apprehended that the partisan election would create a platform for nomination business as well.
Possible mayoral candidates are immediate-past mayor and former organising secretary of district unit AL SMA Moin, district AL Vice-President Advocate Makbul Hossain Babu, Joint General Secretary Golam Faruk Rubel, district Jubo Leage General Secretary Abdul Mazid Apple; BNP’s Foysal Amin and Ranju; JaPa’s district unit General Secretary Rezaur Razi Swapan Chowdhury while the independent candidates are Solaiman Ali Sarkar, Tahmina Akter Mollah.
A municipality dweller named Tuku Miah from Hazipara said the partisan polls compelled them to consider all things anew while they were not accustomed to the practice while remained limited in only national election.
Another inhabitant Bidhu Babo from Kalibari said protection of the local minority could play a key factor for the candidates to win the polls.
Sadar upazila Chairman and also district unit BNP General Secretary Toimur Rahman said: “Our activists are very much eager to participate in the race as this is a partisan election. We want to make BNP’s root-level politics vibrant by using the eagerness. Through vying the polls BNP will ensure toughest competition for the ruling party men.”
Thakurgaon unit AL General Secretary Mohammad Sadek Kuraisi said: “There will have no ballot rigging due to partisan elections. The partisan election will become active our root-level activists and our party will gain more ground.”
