Eight candidates preparing for national polls in Sunamganj-3

All the eight candidates, from ruling Awami League (AL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party (JP) and five from other parties, are preparing themselves for the upcoming national polls in Sunamganj-3 parliamentary seat. Their respective election campaign is going on in full swing.

The candidates have already put on colorful banners, posters, festoons and painted graffiti on walls of different establishments, even in trees, to depict their particular electoral pledges and seeking vote to ensure their win.  The candidates are participating in public functions, including religious and social ones, and are trying to motivate people to cast their valuable votes in their favor.

Sunamganj-3 Parliamentary seat is formed incorporating Jagannathpur and South Sunamganj upazilas.  In the past, elected MP Al-hajj Abdus Samad Azad and Faruque Rashid Chowdhury were ministers. MA Mannan is currently serving as the minister of two ministries.

In spite of the upcoming parliamentary elections, the potential candidates of different parties have been campaigning, also through social media, to take part in the election of MP from this constituency. Supporters are also working on behalf of their favorite candidates. After declaration of election schedule they will be lobbying for the nominated candidates of the party. Meanwhile, names of 8 candidates for AL, 3, BNP 3, Jatiya Party 1 and 1 in the next parliamentary elections will be heard in Sunamganj 3 Parliamen-tary seat.

MP candidates of the AL are, State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan, former Foreign Minister late leader Abdus Samad Azad son Azizus Samad Azad Dawn and United Arab League General Secretary Syed Sajidur Rahman Faruque.

The possible candidates are BNP vice president MA Malek Khan, former freedom fighter party leader, Jagannathpur Upazila BNP convener Lt. Colonel of Syed Ali Ahmed and United Kingdom BNP General Secretary Qayshor M Ahmed, Central Jamaat leader former MP Advocate Maulana Shahinur Pasha Chowdhury and London Jatiya Party General Secretary Shahidur Rahman (martyr).

Azizus Samad's house is in the village of Bhurkhali of Jagannathpur upazila. He is the son of former Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad and he contested with MA Mannan as an independent candidate in the last election. Syed Sajidur Rahman Faruk's house is in the village of Saydpur of Jagannathpur upazila. He has been active in BCL politics. He is currently serving as the General Secretary of the party unit in the United Kingdom.

BNP's MA Malek Khan was born in the village of Hasan-Fatemapur village of Jagannathpur upazila. He however could not be able to get the party nomination in numerous elections. Many supporters said that he is likely to be elected easily if he obtains BNP nomination.

Lt Col Syed Ali Ahmed's house is in the village of Syedpur of Jagannathpur upazila. Earlier, he contested hard in the seat with a Jatiya Party candidate. His supporters say he has a good reputation locally. If he is the candidate of the BNP, the AL-BNP contest will be a tough one in the election.

Jamaat leader of BNP-led alliance Advocate Maulana Shahinur Pasha Chowdhury was the former 14-month MP of the constituency. For that reason he has the ability to get acquaintance and acceptance in the constituency. Shahidur Rahman (Shahid) has come from Barfihi village of Jagannathpur upazila. He is currently serving as the General Secretary of the London Jatiya Party and is honestly doing business in the UK.

He is a new face in Sunamganj-3 constituency in the next election. Well ahead of announcement of the next parliamentary election schedule, the animated presence of the nomination seekers has made the constituency a vibrant one. But time will tell who can get the party nomination and who will win the election.

-AA Correspondent, Sylhet