Industrialists, politicians both seek nomination

Prominent industrialists and politicians both have been seeking nominations from major political parties for Dhaka-1 constituency in the upcoming 11th national election.  Since 2008 due to the reorganization of the new border, Dohar and Nawabganj, a parliamentary constituency, consists of two Upazilas.

Several heavyweight candidates are preparing to take part in the vote. Among them, one of the Daily Jugantar editor and publishers, Jatiya Party presidium members and current MP Advocate Salma Islam, former Awami League Presidium member and former State Minister for Home and Public Works Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan, Prime Minister's Private Sector Development Advisor Salman F Rahman, BNP chairperson's advisor former minister and MP Abdul Mannan, Nawabganj Upazila Parishad Chairman Khandakar Abu Ashfaq Name of former minister Barrister Nazmul Huda has been spoken to local public at the field level.

Bangladesh Awami League nominated candidate Khandakar Harunur Rashid was elected first MP in the first parliamentary elections held after independence. The number of votes he received was about 54 thousand, his nearest rival NAP central committee member Jahangir Alam Chowdhury got 6000 votes. Awami League was out of the field for its internal feud in Nawabganj and Dohar upazilas and where Jatiya Party and BNP took the advantage.

In the 2008 election, Awami League candidate Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan defeated the former state minister for tourism MP Abdul Mannan. In the last 10th parliamentary elections, the Jatiya Party (JP) Presidium member Advocate Salma Islam defeated AL candidate.

Salma Islam got 54 thousand 36 votes where Abdul Mannan Khan got 48,331 votes with boat symbol. Nevertheless, Abdul Mannan Khan has been holding a effective contact with root level workers to win in the next poll. Jatiya Party MP, Advocate Salma Islam is an influential politician. She defeated heavyweight Awami League candidate and former state minister for housing and public works Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan.

Advocate Salma Islam has ensured his nomination from Jatiya Party as there is no suitable candidate than her. She is in strong position in this constituency for her bravery and conviction and overall connectivity with the people. Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of Beximco Group, industrialist Salman F Rahman has been campaigning to get nomination from Awami League nomination.

He is Advisor of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Private Sector Development sector. In the 2001 election, he was defeated by BNP candidate Barrister Nazmul Huda.

Former Communic-ation Minister Nazmul Huda, who has been elected a Member of Parliament several times from BNP, formed a new political party.

Besides the former Central Chhatra League leader and present Dhaka district Awami League organizing secretary Pariuruzzaman is willing to get Awami League's nomination in this seat. He is doing mass contact, workshop in regular areas. He has wide popularity among young voters including local Chhatra League, Jubo League.

On the other hand, BNP wants to restore the seat in the upcoming parliamentary elections. BNP leaders and activists are seeking the right candidate for that.  Meanwhile, two BNP candidates are working in the field. BNP Vice Chairman and four-times MP Abdul Mannan are working with leaders and workers in the area.

Local leaders and workers hope Advocate Abdul Mannan will get nomination from the party. The local people think him a heavyweight and possible candidate of BNP.

Another possible candidate of BNP is the member of the Central Executive Committee, the former Central Joint General Secretary of Jubo Dal, former president of Dhaka district Jubo Dal and former VP of Fazlul Huq Hall. Two times chairman of Nawabganj Upazila Parishad and current general secretary of Dhaka district BNP Khandaker Abu Ashfaq. He has been taking part in various social events.

--Md Sader Hossein Bolu, Dohar, Nawabgonj