BNP-nominated Jamaat men confident of win in Khulna

BNP-nominated candidates from Jamaat-e-Islami have full confidence to keep five constituencies in Khulna division in the December 30 general election.

Mia Golam Porwar from Khulna-5, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad from Khulna-6, Abdul Alim from Bagerhat-4, Muhaddis Abdul Khaleque from Satkhira-2 and Gazi Nazrul Islam from Satkhira-4 are contesting the polls.

These five constituencies were  stronghold of Jamaat previously.

A total of eight candidates, including the five, from Jamaat are contesting with BNP's electoral symbol “Sheaf of Paddy” in Khulna division.

The Daily Star talked to around 20 leaders and activists in those areas. They all expressed their hope to win in the election.

In recent years, Jamaat and BNP were able to attain support of voters in those constituencies.

On the other hand, Awami League-led grand alliance is also trying to capture all 36 seats in Khulna division. AL leaders claimed that they have received good response from supporters at union and village levels.

KHULNA

Mia Golam Porwar and Narayan Chandra Chanda from the AL-led alliance are vying for Khulna-5 (Dumuria-Phultala).

AL bagged the seat in 1991, 1996, 2008. However, Jamaat got it in 2001.

Golam Porwar defeated Narayan Chandra by 4,686 votes in 2001 and in 2008 Narayan defeated Golam Porwar by 39,288 votes.

Golam Porwar told The Daily Star that if the election is held in a free and fair manner, the victory will be theirs.

AL leaders and activists hope that 64,643 new voters will cast their ballots in favour of AL as the party believes in development.

Meanwhile, Khulna-6 (Koyra-Paikgachha) has been a stronghold of Jamaat for years.

AL candidates won the seat in 1996 and 2008 and Jamaat in 1991 and 2001. Jamaat candidate Shah Md Ruhul Kuddus defeated AL candidate Sheikh Md Nurul Haque in 1991 and 2001.

AL candidate Nurul Haque and Shorab Ali Sana regained the seat in1996 and 2008.

Both the two former MPs did not get AL tickets this time. New face Akhteruzzaman Babu, district AL organising secretary, is contesting. His opponent Abul Kalam Azad, Khulna city Jamaat Amir, is now in jail in an arson case.

BAGERHAT

Jamaat won Bagerhat-4 (Morelganj and Sharonkhola) seat in 1991 and 2001 election. AL candidate Dr Mozammel Haq was elected MP in 1996 and 2008. This time, he is contesting with Jamaat candidate Abdul Alim.

SATKHIRA

There will be a contest between BNP nominated candidate from Jamaat Abdul Khaleque and AL-led grand alliance candidate Mir Mostak Ahmed Robi in Satkhira-2.

This correspondent could not contact Abdul Khaleque as he is in jail custody on charge of arson and subversive acts. About 16 cases have been filed against the Jamaat leader.

In 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001 Jamaat won the seat.

Abdul Khaleque defeated Md Nazrul Islam of AL by 54,345 votes in 2001.

However, in 2008 Abdul Khaleque was defeated by MA Jabbar of Jatiya Party by 18,864 votes.

Mostak Ahmed Robi said Jamaat has not done any field-level work  there although its candidates were elected MP four times.

“Young voters don't trust Jamaat as they know its previous activities,” said Robi.

“Awami League has been able to make general people aware about the anarchy of Jamaat and BNP. We have not forgotten the violence carried out by Jamaat in Satkhira in 2014,” he added.

More than 70,000 new voters have been included ahead of this parliamentary election. They will play a vital role in electing the lawmaker.

The number of total voters is 3,56,269. Of them, 177,290 are male and 178,978 female.

In Satkhira-4 (Shyamnagar-Kaliganj), AL candidate SM Jaglul Haydar and BNP nominated Gazi Nazrul Islam (Jamaat) are the two heavy weight candidates.

In 1991 and 2001, Jamaat obtained the seat. Its candidate Gazi Nazrul Islam won two terms by defeating AL candidates. He, however, was defeated by an AL candidate in 1996 and a JP contestant in 2008.

Nazrul Islam said they have long been tortured and “false cases” have been filed against them. “If we do not face police harassment during the polls and our supporters are able to cast their votes freely, we will win.”

According to Election Commission, about 89,817 new voters may decide the fate of the present candidates. Total voters of the constituency are 3,93,726. Of them, 197,925 are male and 195,801 female.