Election: BNP eyes comeback, Jamaat aims for breakthrough

Six candidates from BNP, Jamaat, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh are actively campaigning in the two constituencies.

Candidates promise to transform Chuadanga into a model district free of crime, drugs, and corruption if elected.

In Chuadanga-1, three candidates are in the fray: Sharifuzzaman Sharif, general secretary of district BNP, contesting under ‘paddy sheaf”symbol; Masud Parvez Rasel, assistant secretary of district Jamaat-e-Islami, representing an 11-party alliance under “balance” symbol and Maulana Zahurul Islam Azizi, vice president of district unit of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, running under ‘hand fan’ symbol.

Chuadanga-2 also has three candidates: Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, BGMEA president and BNP district unit chief, contesting under the “paddy sheaf” symbol; Ruhul Amin, district Jamaat chief representing the 11-party alliance under  “balance” symbol; and Hasanuzzaman Sajib, district president of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, running under the “hand fan” symbol.

Since the announcement of symbols, villages, markets, tea stalls, and public spaces have come alive with election activities  particularly between BNP and Jamaat.

Both parties are focusing on winning over undecided voters including those who previously supported the Awami League which is facing ban on its activities after August 5,2024.

A voter in Chuadanga city, requesting anonymity, said, “Without a candidate from my party, I’m still thinking about who would be best for the area. I’ll decide based on the situation on voting day.”

Similar uncertainty was reported in Kumarigram village of Alamdanga upazila.

Shahjahan Ali, former principal and general secretary of Chuadanga Educationists Forum, described the contest as a battle to win hearts, not just traditional vote banks. “Who reaches people effectively at the last moment will determine the results,” he said.

Nazmul Haq Swapon, another voter in the town, said “Floating voters will play the key role in both constituencies. Individual reputation and public engagement may matter more than party affiliation, especially the votes of Awami League supporters who are currently inactive.”

Chuadanga-1:
Chuadanga-1 comprises five unions of Alamdanga and Chuadanga Sadar upazilas.

Historically a BNP stronghold, it has been held by the Awami League since 2014 in three successive controversial elections.

Sharifuzzaman Sharif, contesting for BNP, has pledged to prioritise health and education and transform the district into a “smart Chuadanga.”

Jamaat candidate Masud Parvez Rasel seeks to create a model district through inclusive development and governance, appealing to all voters irrespective of party.

Islami Andolan’s Zahurul Islam Azizi emphasises principled leadership and attracting young voters, positioning the “hand fan” as a credible alternative.

With BNP’s historical advantage in Chuadanga-1, Jamaat’s chances of victory are apparently slim, but the party is actively campaigning for respectable vote share.

The constituency has 513,718 registered voters, including 255,704 men, 258,006 women, and eight hijra voters.

Chuadanga-2:
Chuadanga-2 covers Damurhuda, Jibannagar, and parts of Sadar upazilas and is considered a Jamaat stronghold.

BNP candidate Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu has promised to focus on industry, infrastructure, and employment generation if elected.

Jamaat’s Ruhul Amin has been working in the constituency since 2010 despite political hurdles and imprisonment under previous government.

Islami Andolan’s Hasanuzzaman Sajib emphasises anti-corruption and community development, seeking to attract undecided voters, reports UNB. 

Chuadanga-2 has 492,379 voters, including 246,631 men, 245,743 women, and five hijra voters.