AL absent, BNP, Jamaat vying to gain control, NCP trying to get a foothold in Chandpur
CHANDPUR, located near the confluence of the Padma and Meghna rivers, has already become highly active though the schedule for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election has not yet been announced.
Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami are increasingly engaged in organizational and electoral activities across the district's five constituencies.
At present, all five constituencies are abuzz with political programmes, rallies, and promotional efforts by prospective candidates. An electoral atmosphere is now sweeping across the entire district. With Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr approaching, this excitement has intensified further. The five constituencies are bustling with political programmes and campaigns by potential candidates.
BNP and its affiliated organisations are holding various programmes and organisational meetings daily across all constituencies. Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP) are also not lagging in organizing activities to strengthen their bases. Additionally, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Nagorik Oikya, and Gono Odhikar Parishad are actively engaged in various programmes in the district's political arena.
Chandpur's constituencies are traditionally known as strongholds of BNP's vote bank.
Despite the Awami League (AL) controlling all constituencies in the last three national elections, the situation in the district changed rapidly after the fall of the AL government on August 5. BNP leaders and activists have become more active, while AL and its affiliates are now nowhere to be found, with most of their members' mobile phones switched off.
According to Jamaat's District General Secretary Advocate Md. Shahjahan Mia the party has already declared its candidates for four constituencies.
CHANDPUR-1: This constituency encompasses Kachua Upazila.
Potential BNP candidates include former state minister for education ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan, BNP Malaysia branch General Secretary Mosharraf Hossain, former organisational secretary of BNP Australia Engineer Habibur Rahman, and BNP Banani branch leader Imam Hossain Nur.
Local sources indicate that Mosharraf Hossain controls the local upazila and other committees. He contested the 2018 election with BNP's nomination. However, tensions and occasional unpleasant incidents are reported between supporters of Mosharraf and Milan.
Jamaat-e-Islami's declared candidate for Chandpur-1 is Maulana Abu Nasr Ashrafi.
CHANDPUR-2: This constituency includes Matlab Dakshin and Matlab Uttar Upazilas.
Potential BNP candidates include District BNP Joint General Secretary Tanvir Huda (son of late former minister Nurul Huda), BNP Chairperson's Adviser Ataur Rahman Dhali, BNP leader and General Secretary of Bangladesh National Human Rights Association Advocate Saiful Islam Sekul, BNP leader Mahbub Sarker Shamim, District BNP Advisory Council Member Dr. Md. Jalal Ahmed, former Upazila Parishad chairman and BNP leader Shukkur Patwary, and District BNP Vice-President Barrister Obaidur Rahman Tipu.
Local BNP activist Asgar Ali noted that Tanvir Huda is actively participating in various programmes almost daily. Advocate Saiful Islam Sekul has strong committees of the National Human Rights Association in every union.
Jamaat-e-Islami has not yet finalised its candidate for this constituency, but names like Dr. Abdul Mobin Dewan, Abul Bashar, and Abdur Rab Patwary are being discussed as potential candidates.
CHANDPUR-3: This constituency incorporates Chandpur Sadar and Haimchar upazilas.
Known as the district headquarters constituency, potential BNP candidates include District BNP President Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, BNP National Executive Committee Member and District Advisory Council Member Azam Khan, and BNP leaders Mahbubur Rahman Shahin and Mostafa Khan Safari. Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik is significantly ahead in campaign and organisational activities, maintaining a strong position. He participates in various party programmes in the constituency during weekends, with local leaders and activists working unitedly in his favour.
Jamaat's declared candidate for Chandpur-3 is District Secretary Advocate Md. Shahjahan Mia.
The District President of Islami Andolan Sheikh Muhammad Joynal Abdin is active in organizational efforts across the district but is particularly focused on this constituency where most party leaders and activists are hopeful he will secure the nomination. Other Islamic parties' district-level leaders are not as visibly active as Sheikh Muhammad Joynal Abdin.
CHANDPUR-4: This constituency encompasses Faridganj Upazila.
Potential BNP candidates include former MP and BNP's Central Banking and Revenue Affairs Secretary Lion Harunur Rashid, Central BNP Executive Committee Member Motahar Hossain Patwary, Faridganj Upazila BNP Convener and industrialist MA Hannan, and BNP leader and National Press Club member Lion Al Amin.
MA Hannan is notably active in organizational efforts and has announced he will support any candidate other than Lion Harun if he does not get the nomination. Lion Al Amin has established a strong position among dedicated workers and youth through his foundation.
Jamaat's declared candidate for Chandpur-4 is District Ameer Maulana Billal Hossain Miyaji.
CHANDPUR-5: This constituency includes Hajiganj and Shahrasti upazilas.
In BNP, potential candidates of the constitution include BNP's International Affairs Secretary and former Dhaka University student leader Anwar Hossain Khokon and former district BNP president and Central Executive Committee Member Engineer Mominul Haque.
Both leaders and their supporters are actively engaged in political and social programmes.
Reliable sources suggest that Anwar Hossain Khokon's public outreach and activities will increase significantly if Tariq Rahman returns to the country. He is also gaining renewed trust among the youth and BNP activists. NCP's central leader Nasiruddin Patwary is likely to contest in this constituency though their activities in other constituencies are minimal.
Jamaat's declared candidate for the seat is District Assistant Secretary Professor Abul Hossain.
According to District BNP General Secretary Advocate AKM Salim Ullah Selim, BNP was founded to come to power through free and fair elections or to facilitate other political parties to do so. He emphasised that BNP is a liberal democratic party, having been in power for 23 of its 46 years and fighting for fair and democratic elections during the remaining 33 years in opposition.
Apart from Jamaat-e-Islami, other Islamic parties' candidacy in Chandpur's five constituencies has not gained as much traction as BNP or Jamaat.
The noticeable absence of the AL and its affiliates from the field following the government's fall has further tilted local momentum in favour of BNP-led alliances. With internal competition, growing grassroots activism, and a reinvigorated opposition, Chandpur is emerging as one of the key battlegrounds to watch in the coming national election. The evolving dynamics indicate not only a fight for parliamentary seats but also a larger battle over political relevance and influence in one of BNP's historical strongholds.
