BNP, Jamaat candidates ramp up campaigns in Sunamganj-1

 Sunamganj Correspondent : In Sunamganj-1 constituency, prospective candidates from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are intensifying their grassroots campaigns ahead of the country’s next parliamentary election, tentatively expected by February 2026.

The surge in political activity follows reports of a meeting in London between interim government chief adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, which has strengthened speculation about the election timeline.

Amid this backdrop, nomination hopefuls from BNP, Jamaat, and other parties such as the Nationalist Citizen’s Party (NCP) are intensifying grassroots outreach across the country.

While several parties including Jamaat and NCP have demanded reforms and accountability before the polls, Jamaat has already finalized candidates in all constituencies, with nominees actively engaged in local campaigns. Political analysts note that NCP is indirectly pushing its electoral agenda through nationwide marches demanding implementation of its July declaration, reforms, and justice.

Similar to other districts, Sunamganj-1—covering Tahirpur, Jamalganj, Madhyanagar, and Dharmapasha—has seen heightened activity. BNP nomination seekers are rigorously vying for party endorsement by organizing rallies, attending social events, and canvassing villages and markets. Many display their strength through motorbike rallies and posts on social media.

Though BNP has yet to announce an official candidate, hopefuls have plastered banners, festoons, and posters across key public spaces, often aligning with local festivals and commemorative days.

Sunamganj-1 is the largest of the district’s five constituencies, both geographically and in voter size. It has 462,695 registered voters, including 227,701 women, 234,889 men, and five transgender voters.

Over eight BNP aspirants are competing for the party’s sheaf of paddy symbol here. These include former student leader Kamruzzaman Kamrul, district convening committee members Anisul Haque and Abdul Motaleb Khan (both ex-upazila chairmen), former late three-time MP Nazrul Hossain’s wife Salma Nazir, youth leaders Mahbubur Rahman, Barrister Hamidul Haque Afindi Liton, Nizam Uddin, and Asad Murad Talukder.

Kamrul, popular among youth, recently drew massive crowds in Dharmapasha while promoting BNP’s 31-point state reform agenda. Anisul Haque highlighted his role in anti-authoritarian movements across the constituency, contrasting it with rivals he claims were abroad during critical struggles. Mahbubur Rahman emphasized his 15-year support for local activists under “Awami League’s repression,” expecting BNP to favor young leaders.

Salma Nazir is leveraging her late husband’s political legacy, while UK-based Barrister Liton is networking locally and with central leaders. Meanwhile, Nizam Uddin is confident the party will prioritize young candidates. However, a former BNP leader hinted that if factional rivalries persist, BNP might nominate an influential outsider—possibly district convenor and ex-MP Kalim Uddin Ahmed Milon. Milon dismissed such speculation, stating he remains committed to his Sunamganj-5 constituency.

Without Awami League in the race, Jamaat emerges as the second largest party by past vote shares. Jamaat’s district chief Maulana Tofayel Ahmad Khan is actively touring the constituency, visiting mosques, madrasas, and markets to seek votes for the scale symbol.

Other parties’ efforts vary. The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) has nominated Professor Chittaranjan Talukder, a former district president from Madhyanagar. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Inu) might skip fielding a candidate here, while NCP says it is yet to finalize its nominee. The Gano Adhikar Parishad and multiple Islamic parties could still enter the fray, depending on coalition talks.

Former MP Pir Misbah, convener of the district Jatiya Party, said they have multiple hopefuls and will announce a single candidate later.

For now, BNP, Jamaat, and other parties are focused on individual organizational strategies. Sources say formal alliances or seat-sharing deals will be decided only after the election schedule is announced. BNP and Jamaat have ruled out partnering with the Awami League-led 14-party alliance or its previous allies, instead strengthening ties with parties from the anti-authoritarian movement.

BNP and Jamaat leaders confirmed ongoing discussions with various parties to potentially form an electoral alliance or platform. Jamaat is exploring unified Islamist candidates in some seats, while BNP considers a 2018-style model where allies run under its sheaf of paddy symbol. Still, leaders caution that “nothing is final in politics,” with many dynamics likely to shift once the official election timeline is declared.