NARAIL, Feb 10: A festive atmosphere surrounds the election campaign in Narail-2 constituency. Rival candidates are holding large showdown meetings to demonstrate public support, tirelessly visiting voters door-to-door, and making various promises to work for area development to increase turnout.
Although eight candidates are competing, a three-way fight is glimpsed, mainly between Jamaat-e-Islami, the BNP, and a BNP rebel candidate.
The constituency comprises Narail Sadar and Lohagara municipalities, eight unions of Sadar Upazila, and twelve unions of Lohagara Upazila. The area remains backward in health, education, and communication.
A total of 390,987 voters will cast votes on February 12, including 194,245 men, 196,738 women, and four transgender voters. Since independence, the Awami League (AL) has been ahead here, with most MPs elected from this party.
Analysts suggest that while the BNP has a strong chance this time, internal division could be disastrous. In that regard, the Jamaat-e-Islami is in a very advantageous position. District Ameer Md. Ataur Rahman is their nominated candidate for Narail-2. Many also believe the AL's reserve vote will help determine the winner.
The BNP initially nominated Md. Monirul Islam, a decision praised locally. However, the party later changed his candidacy and nominated A. Z. M. Fariduzzaman, Chairman of the ally NPP who recently joined the BNP. Local leaders questioned Fariduzzaman's involvement in local movements and demanded Monirul's reinstatement.
After protests failed to change the central decision, Monirul entered the race as an independent candidate. Most of his fellow movement activists sided with him. Subsequently, Monirul was expelled from the BNP for violating party discipline.
Several local BNP leaders, including Narail Sadar Upazila BNP General Secretary Mujahidu Rahman Palash and Lohagara Upazila BNP President Ahaduzzamana Batu, were later expelled for siding with Monirul. This did not negatively impact Monirul's popularity. Large crowds at his meetings demonstrate his party acceptability.
He is campaigning extensively to win against the Paddy Sheaf and the Scale symbols. Confident of victory, Md. Monirul Islam stated he has led the party for 15 years through oppression and prison. He was elected District General Secretary and previously served as Upazila Parishad chairman.
He believes he will receive votes across party lines. If elected, he hopes to work on overall district development, including health, education, employment, preventing river erosion, and building a society free of hatred and violence.
Political analysts observe that as a large part of the BNP, from district to grassroots, supports the Urn symbol, the Paddy Sheaf candidate A. Z. M. Fariduzzaman appears isolated within the BNP. Fariduzzaman disagrees. He has support from two district BNP organizing secretaries, sections of Jubo Dal, Chatra Dal, and other units.
He is campaigning busily from city to village. As a representative of the BNP's Paddy Sheaf symbol and Chairman Tarique Rahman, he is trying to attract party members. He promises to solve local problems to gain voters' verdict.
He stated he contested this seat in 2018 with the Paddy Sheaf and remains a Paddy Sheaf candidate, claiming a positive public response everywhere. He asserts that a section of the BNP is with him, and those who are not are working against the party's ideology.
Expressing hope that Narail's people will not make a wrong decision, he said they will vote for the Paddy Sheaf. If elected, he promises to prioritise establishing a university and medical college, constructing EPZs, preventing river erosion, and improving communication for Narail's overall development.
Meanwhile, the Jamaat-e-Islami, benefiting from the BNP split, holds a strong position. The party has completed preparations to cross the electoral threshold.
