AJSHAHI, Jan 14: Rajshahi-3 (Paba-Mohanpur) is a parliamentary constituency with over 4 lakh voters.
Political temperature is steadily rising in this seat ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliament election. With both the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) nominated candidate active on the ground, the electoral equation is becoming increasingly complex day by day. Both sides are demonstrating their strong positions through public outreach, courtyard meetings, and organisational activities.
In this seat, Shafiqul Haque Milon, a popular and familiar face of the BNP in the region, has once again secured the nomination from the BNP. His nomination has brought back enthusiasm among the grassroots BNP. Furthermore, those within the party who were aspiring for nomination have also announced their support for Milon's campaign. Relying on the party's traditional support base and strong organisational structure, he is quite confident on the electoral field. He is engaging in direct conversations with voters through public outreach in various markets, villages, and neighbourhoods. The BNP candidate is promising to eliminate disparities in development, adopt agriculture and business-friendly policies, and improve local infrastructure.
On the other hand, the Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate is not lagging behind. Abul Kalam Azad, who has been the Chairman of Hargram Union Parishad in Paba Upazila for 28 consecutive years, has received the nomination for this seat. He is a familiar face in various unions of Paba and Mohanpur upazilas due to Jamaat-e-Islami's organisational activities. Local leaders believe, he has a certain vote bank in his favour due to his involvement in religious and social activities. In his election campaign, he is highlighting development, good governance, and corruption-free politics. He is particularly trying to attract common voters by promising improvements in education, healthcare, and employment.
However, voters are expressing different concerns. Conversations with residents from various unions of the two upazilas reveal that they will vote for whichever candidate works for the holistic development of these two agriculture-friendly upazilas.
Farmer Sayedul Islam from the Syerpukur area of Hujuripara Union in Paba Upazila said, "We have seen many MPs and chairmen in the past, but none have specifically thought about or worked for farmers. When prices of agricultural produce are low, no one wants to buy the vegetables from our fields. We are then forced to either throw them away or feed these to cattle. It would be good for us if a system for storing crops at affordable rates could be established here."
Sainul Islam from Kalupara Village in Borgachi Union said, "The roads and infrastructure here haven't really been developed. For a long time, the roads haven't been widened or repaired, which has prevented any improvement in our communication system. In the upcoming election, we will vote for the candidate who promises and works on improving our roads and infrastructure."
Asadul Islam from Pillapara Village in Naohata Municipality said, "There is a lack of employment opportunities in our area. Compared to the population, there are no jobs. If factories were built here by the government, many jobs could be created. We want an MP who will prioritise employment generation in our area."
Rahim Ali, a day labourer from the Jahanabad area in Mohanpur Upazila, said, "Many MPs and ministers have come and gone, but our fortunes haven't changed. The desired development in our area hasn't happened. We want an MP who will develop our roads and infrastructure. We will vote for them."
Hafiz Abbas from the Bidirpur area in Moughachi Union said, "We don't expect too much from a public representative. We want an MP who will work on the overall issues of our area, including roads. We will vote for and ensure the victory of the person we can reach first for our various local problems."
Both party candidates have stated that if they win the upcoming election, they will prioritise and begin working on the holistic development of Paba-Mohanpur. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate (Scale symbol) Abul Kalam Azad said, "The common people of Paba-Mohanpur want change. They also want freedom from usury, bribery, and extortion. I am getting the same response from voters now as the coalition candidates did in 1991. I hope that in the upcoming election, I will win with a huge mandate from the people and be able to develop this area. You will see that most people in Paba-Mohanpur are involved in agriculture. Paddy, betel leaf, potato, and mango cultivation is high in this region. To ensure that ordinary farmers can sell these at a good profit, agriculture-based zones will be established in the two upazilas. Our central leadership has issued a manifesto, and I also have specific plans for the development of Paba-Mohanpur."
BNP-nominated candidate (Sheaf of Paddy symbol) Shafiqul Haque Milon said, "I have a long-standing connection with the soil and people of Paba-Mohanpur. My politics started in 1983, and I have been in Paba-Mohanpur since 2008. I know where and what the problems of the people in this region are; if elected, solving these problems will be my top priority. Additionally, public toilets will be constructed in the two upazilas, special initiatives and plans will be taken to eliminate unemployment, and urbanisation will be brought to Paba-Mohanpur. You can see there is no space left for urbanisation in Rajshahi City; the river is to the south.
Therefore, there are many places in my Paba-Mohanpur where factories will be built, and employment will be created alongside. The most urgent issue in Paba-Mohanpur is the marketing system for agricultural produce. If elected by the people's vote, I will take the initiative to make Shah Makhdum Airport international and take steps so that agricultural products from here can be directly exported abroad. This will benefit our ordinary farmers. I hope the 'Sheaf of Paddy' will win by a huge margin in this seat in the upcoming election."
Overall, competition surrounding the election in Rajshahi-3 has become quite intense this time. Voters are observing the statements, promises, and grassroots activities of the two candidates. Ultimately, the election results, to be announced on the 12th of February, will be determined by whom the people place their trust in regarding development and public interest.
