Battle of cousins heats up

With only a few days left for the by-election to Rangpur-3 constituency, aspirants are passing busy days in electioneering. The by-election is slated to be held on October 5.

 The parliamentary seat fell vacant after Jatiya Party (JP) chairman and also opposition leader of the House HM Ershad died on July 14.

A total of six aspirants from different political parties are contesting the by-polls. Among them, three are actively campaigning.

Of the candidates, two are Ershad’s family members -- his son and JP candidate Rahgir Al Mahi Saad Ershad and nephew Hossain Mokbul Shahriar Asif.

 Asif, who is contesting as an independent candidate, had been expelled from the party for violating rules.

Rita Rahman of BNP is also active in the race.

On Saturday and Sunday, the candidates were seen visiting different neighbourhoods in the constituency and trying to woo prospective voters.

Saad was seen campaigning in Mulatol, Sen Para and Lal Bagh areas. While speaking to locals, he promised to continue his father’s development work in the area.

Though no JP leaders in Rangpur were seen with him, Saad said “everyone was working for him”.

About his cousin Asif, he said, “Asif has the right to contest the by-polls. But I’m optimistic that I will win.”

Asif, on the other hand, termed Saad and Rita “outsiders”. He campaigned in Sadar upazila and the city corporation areas.

Rita Rahman visited Lalbagh and Co Bazar Intersection areas.

TROUBLE IN JP STRONGHOLD

The constituency (Sadar upazila) is considered the stronghold of JP, the main opposition in parliament. Ershad won all elections he took part in from this seat following the end of his military rule in 1990.

Ershad first got elected in 1991. He was also elected in 2008, 2014 and 2019. Besides, his brother GM Quader and widow Raushan Ershad were also elected MPs in 2001 and 2009 by-elections respectively.

But Saad is rarely getting any support from grassroots leaders, according to party insiders, even though JP Chairman GM Quader has urged party leaders to work for whoever is the nominated candidate.

 Early this month, Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, mayor of Rangpur City Corporation and presidium member of JP, said local leaders will not campaign for Saad if he is nominated.

According to political analysts, both JP and AL are divided over the issue. Some of their party leaders are working for Saad, some for Asif while others have decided to remain silent.

Awami League had nominated its Rangpur district General Secretary Rezaul Karim Razu as its candidate for the by-election. But On September 16, the ruling party candidate quit the race, following directives of party high-ups and is now backing JP candidate Saad.

AL sources said Razu’s decision had disheartened the local party men.

 Tushar Kanti Mondal, general secretary of Rangpur city unit of AL, said they are supporting the JP candidate.

RITA MAY GET UPPER HAND

Meanwhile, some JP leaders speculated that the current situation may end up helping BNP’s Rita Rahman.

“Rita got around 54,000 votes in last year’s national election. Besides, BNP and its allies are working for her,” said a JP leader, wishing anonymity.

Rita, however, alleged that she has been facing obstacles in carrying out campaigns. “I don’t believe it [by-polls] will be free and fair,” she said. She did not elaborate any further.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir took part in campaign in favour of Rita yesterday. A rally was held at the city’s Paira Square. Supporters joined the programme amid rain.

Meanwhile, Fakhrul hurt his left hand as he was about to fall off a moving truck during the election campaign.

HINDU VOTES UNCERTAIN

Hindu community of Rangpur Sadar upazila has been demanding that the Election Commission defer the date of Rangpur-3 by-election, as the announced date of polls falls on the day of Maha Saptami.

The election is scheduled for October 5, while the five-day Durga Puja festivities begins October 4.

Sushanta Bhowmik, vice president of Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad’s Rangpur unit and joint general secretary of the city’s Puja Udjapan Parishad, said Hindus will not get enough time to cast their votes as the by-polls coincides with Saptami.

Also, there will be a risk of chaos in the polls, he said. There are 70,000 Hindus in Rangpur Sadar upazila.

LOCALS NOT MUCH UPBEAT

Meanwhile, residents of Sadar upazila are not much enthusiastic about the by-polls.

 This correspondent spoke to quite a few of them last week. They said they will vote for the person who is from the area and will work for them.

“We want the MP to stay with us, instead of living in the capital,” said Sumon Mia of Mulatol area. Uday Roy of Rajendrapur echoed Sumon.

Fakrul Anam Benju, president of Rangpur district Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), told The Daily Star that locals are not excited about the by-polls due to the “rifts” in political parties.

The other contestants are: Shafiul Alam of National People’s Party, Kazi Mohammad Shahidullah of Gono Front and Touhidur Rahman Mondol of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish.

A total of 4,42,072 people are expected to exercise their franchise in the election.

CEC ASSURES OF ACTIONS AGAINST IRREGULARITIES

The Rangpur-3 by-elections will be held in a free and fair manner and tough actions will be taken if any untoward incident takes place at any polling centre, said Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in Rangpur yesterday.

The CEC was at a meeting with law enforcement agencies, officials of district election office and deputy commissioner’s office at the conference hall of the DC office.