NOAKHALI, Jan 31: Election frenzy has gripped Noakhali as campaigning intensifies across the district ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has fielded heavyweight candidates in all six constituencies while Jamaat-e-Islami is mounting an organised and relentless campaign to snatch victory. Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), National Citizen Party (NCP), and Khelafat Majlis are also actively in the race.
Comprising nine upazilas and eight municipalities, Noakhali's six parliamentary seats have become battlegrounds of intense political activity, with candidates engaging in extensive outreach and rallies.
Noakhali District BNP Convener Mahbub Alamgir Alo and Member Secretary Harunur Rashid Azad said, party leaders and activists are highly energised and united following Tarique Rahman's return to the country. "There is no division or internal conflict now. Everyone is working in unity for the paddy sheaf candidates," they said.
Meanwhile, Jamaat and its alliance partners are conducting coordinated campaigns, with their leaders and supporters also showing strong enthusiasm.
Noakhali-1 (Chatkhil-Sonaimuri): BNP heavyweight Barrister A M Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Adviser to the BNP Chairperson and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, is contesting from this seat. A former MP, he enjoys strong popularity in the area.
Jamaat candidate Maulana Saif Ullah, a member of the party's Majlis-e-Shura and Executive Council, is contesting with the Daripalla (Balance Scale) symbol. He has pledged to eliminate drugs, terrorism, extortion, and criminal activities and build a humane society.
Other contenders include Zahidul Islam of IAB , Mashiur Rahman of Insaniyat Biplob, Mominul Islam of Bangladesh Congress, Nurul Amin JaPa, and Rehana Begum of JSD.
Noakhali-2 (Senbagh, part of Sonaimuri): BNP Chairperson's Adviser and former Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque is contesting from this constituency. A five-time MP, he is seeking votes promising public service, implementation of Tarique Rahman's programmes, and improvements in education, healthcare, and communication.
BNP National Executive Committee member and former Senbagh Upazila chairman Kazi Mofizur Rahman is contesting as an independent candidate.
Jamaat candidate and District Nayeb-e-Ameer Principal Sayeed Ahmed had earlier campaigned widely, but the seat was later allocated to alliance partner NCP, whose candidate is Sultan Mohammad Zakaria Majumder.
Other candidates include Tofazzal Hossain of Khelafat Majlis (KM), Khalilur Rahman of IAB, and Shahadat Hossain of JaPa.
Noakhali-3 (Begumganj): BNP Central Vice-Chairman and former minister Barkat Ullah Bulu is contesting from this seat. He previously won from here in 1991, 1996, and 2008. He is seeking votes highlighting past development initiatives.
Jamaat candidate Maulana Borhan Uddin, District Secretary and former vice-chairman of Begumganj Upazila, is campaigning actively, pledging to eradicate drugs, terrorism, extortion, traffic congestion, and illegal canal encroachment.
Other candidates include Maulana Morshed Alam Masum of KM and Siraj Mia of JSD.
Noakhali-4 (Sadar-Subarnachar): This is considered a key constituency. BNP Central Vice-Chairman Md Shahjahan, a three-time MP, is contesting with the Paddy Sheaf symbol, conducting regular rallies, courtyard meetings, and door-to-door campaigns.
Jamaat District Ameer Principal Ishaq Khandaker is contesting with the Balance Scale symbol, promising wide-ranging development initiatives.
Other candidates include Firoz Alam Masud of IAB, Abduz Zaher Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP), Yunus Nabi of Insaniyat Biplob, Shariful Islam of JaPa, and Bitul Chandra Talukder BSD-Marxist.
Noakhali-5: This constituency is known as the home turf of late BNP leader Barrister Moudud Ahmed and absconding Awami League leader Obaidul Quader, both of whom were elected multiple times from here.
This time, BNP candidate Fakhrul Islam, former member of Companyganj Upazila BNP, is contesting, with strong grassroots activity. Jamaat candidate Principal Belayet Hossain, Companyganj Upazila Ameer, is also campaigning intensively.
Other contenders include Ali Ahmed of KM, Abu Naser IAB, Khaza Tanvir Ahmed JaPa, Shamsuddoha of Islamic Front Bangladesh) Muntahar Begum of BSD-Marxist, Shawkat Hossain of Janatar Dal, and Touhidul Islam of Insaniyat Biplob.
Noakhali-6 (Hatiya): In the island upazila of Hatiya, individual influence often outweighs party affiliation. BNP Central Organising Secretary and former DUCSU AGS Mahbuber Rahman Shamim is contesting, promising extensive development.
Engineer Fazlul Azim of BNP is also contesting as an independent candidate.
From the Jamaat-led alliance, NCP Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud is campaigning vigorously.
Other candidates include JaPa's ATM Nabi Ullah, Abdul Motaleb of JSD, Azhar Uddin of GOP, Nurul Islam Sharif of IAB, Abul Hossain of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Amirul Islam Abdul Malek of Bangladesh Supreme Party, and independent candidate Tanvir Uddin Rajib.
With fierce contests unfolding across all six seats, Noakhali is poised for a high-voltage electoral battle, as voters look towards what many describe as a potential 'ballot revolution' that could shape the district's political future.
