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Although the date for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections has not been set, leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have become increasingly active in the five constituencies of Chandpur. The entire district is currently experiencing an election atmosphere, which intensified during the month of Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr. Political activities and campaign efforts for potential candidates have made the district lively with election-related programs. Daily, BNP and its affiliated organizations are conducting various events, meetings, and organizational activities in all constituencies. Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP are also carrying out programs to strengthen their organizational base. In addition, organizations like the Islamic Shasantantra Andolon, Khelafat Majlis, and Nagarik Oikya are active in the region.
Historically, all five constituencies in Chandpur are considered BNP’s strongholds. While the ruling Awami League has controlled all these seats in the past three national elections, the political situation in the district has changed rapidly after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. BNP’s leaders and activists have become more active, whereas representatives from Awami League or its affiliates have largely disappeared, with many even shutting down their mobile phones.
Chandpur-1 (Kachua):
Potential candidates for BNP’s nomination include former Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haq Millon, BNP Malaysia Branch Secretary General Mosharraf Hossain, former Organizing Secretary of Australia BNP Engineer Habibur Rahman, and BNP leader Imam Hossain Nur from the Banani branch of BNP. It is known that Mosharraf Hossain controls the local committees in this area, and although he was nominated in the 2018 election, there have been frequent incidents between his supporters and those of Millon.
Chandpur-2 (Matlob North-South):
In this constituency, the names of former Minister Nurul Huda’s son Anvir Huda, BNP National Advisor Ataur Rahman Dhali, BNP leader and Secretary General of Bangladesh National Human Rights Association Advocate Saiful Islam Sekul, and other local leaders are being considered for party nomination. Anvir Huda, in particular, is actively participating in various events. Advocate Saiful Islam Sekul has a strong presence in each union through his human rights organization.
Chandpur-3 (Chandpur Sadar-Haimchar):
This is the most important constituency in the district, and potential candidates include Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, the president of Chandpur BNP, BNP National Executive Member and District Advisor Azam Khan, and BNP leaders Mahbubur Rahman Shaheen and Mustafa Khan Safri. Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik is leading in the campaign and organizational activities, with many local leaders and activists working for his candidacy.
Chandpur-4 (Faridganj):
Potential candidates include former MP and BNP’s Central Banking and Revenue Secretary Lion Harunur Rashid, Central BNP Executive Committee Member Motahar Hossain Patoari, and Faridganj Upazila BNP’s Convener and prominent businessman MA Hannan. Among them, MA Hannan has shown the most organizational activity. Even if he does not receive the nomination, he has expressed his support for anyone else nominated, particularly former MP Lion Harun.
Chandpur-5 (Hajiganj-Shahrasti):
Potential candidates include BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Anwar Hossain Khokon and former District BNP President and Central BNP Executive Committee Member Engineer Mominul Haque. These leaders and their supporters are highly active in political and social campaigns. According to sources, Anwar Hossain Khokon’s activities will increase significantly if Tarique Rahman returns to the country, and he is gaining trust among the youth and BNP activists.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Candidate Plans:
Jamaat-e-Islami has already finalized their candidates for four out of the five constituencies. The candidates are Maulana Abu Nasr Ashrafi for Chandpur-1, District Secretary and Advocate Shahjahan Mia for Chandpur-3, District Amir Maulana Billal Hossain Miyaji for Chandpur-4, and Assistant Secretary Professor Abul Hossain for Chandpur-5. The candidate for Chandpur-2 has not yet been finalized, but possible candidates include Dr. Abdul Mobin Dewan, Abul Bashar, and Abdur Rob Patoari.
BNP’s Organizational Activities:
BNP District General Secretary Advocate AKM Salim Ullah Selim stated that the party was formed to either come to power through free and fair elections or to create an opportunity for other political parties to do so. He emphasized that BNP is a democratic party, which has spent 23 years in power over the past 46 years, with the remaining 33 years spent fighting for fair and democratic elections.
Apart from Jamaat-e-Islami, no other Islamic party has made their candidate announcements as publicly as BNP and Jamaat. Sheikh Muhammad Zainal Abdin, District President of the Islamic Andolon Party, has been actively participating in organizational activities across the district, especially in his constituency, Chandpur-3 (Sadar-Haimchar). Many of his party members are hopeful that he will receive the nomination for this seat.
