AL plagued by conflicts, BNP cautious

Grassroots leaders and activists of the Awami League in the Tangail-3 constituency (Ghatail Upazila) are disoriented and divided due to internal conflicts, which may jeopardize the ruling party’s winning streak in the 12th national election slated for January 7. On the other hand, despite rifts within the party, the BNP is eager to win the electoral field by exploiting the conflict within the Awami League.

After 21 long years, this seat came under the control of the Awami League in 2008. Prominent doctor and cardiologist Dr Matiur Rahman was elected MP for the first time. The constituency became vacant after he passed away on September 13, 2012.

Upazila Awami League leader Shahidul Islam Lebu was nominated for the by-election. But the then-district unit Awami League religious affairs secretary, Amanur Rahman Khan Rana, won the election as an independent candidate. Later, Rana was elected unopposed on the party nomination in the 2014 election.

This is how the “Khan Family” started dominating Awami League politics in Tangail Sadar and Ghatail. Their dominance waned a little after the police found the involvement of Rana and his brothers in the murder of Tangail district Awami League leader and heroic freedom fighter Farooq Ahmad in September 2014. The police probe forced the brothers to go into hiding.

At the time, the leadership of Ghatail Awami League passed into the hands of Rana's opponents. Later, Rana's father, Ataur Rahman Khan, got the nomination from the Awami League in 2018.

Since 1973, the Awami League has won the seat five times, the BNP five times, the Jatiya Party once, and another person as an independent candidate.

The constituency consists of 14 unions and one municipality. District election office sources said that the total number of voters in this seat is 358,119.

Who are in the picture?

The candidates of the Awami League, BNP, and other parties are campaigning in various ways in this constituency. They are announcing their candidature by participating in social, cultural, and political events, as well as pasting posters on different occasions.

Apart from the current MP, others who may seek nomination from the Awami League include his son and two-time MP Rana, former vice chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and District Awami League Vice President Professor Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan, Ghatail Upazila Chairman and Upazila Awami League President Shahidul Islam Lebu, District Awami League Legal Affairs Secretary Akbar Khan, Upazila Awami League Vice President, Alok Health Care Hospital and Foundation Managing Director Lokman Hossain, late MP Dr Matiar Rahman's son Tanvir Rahman, and former deputy attorney general Dr Shahidul Islam.

Since Rana’s father, MP Ataur Rahman, has reached the age of 82, there is doubt about his nomination in the next parliamentary elections. Therefore, the differences between groups have increased. Leader-centric factions have formed within the party. Infighting has reached an extreme level in the leadership contest.

On the other hand, the possible candidates of the BNP are four-time MP, advisor to the BNP chairperson and former state minister Lutfar Rahman Khan Azad, Executive Committee Member Obaidul Haque Nasir, former district committee treasurer and Krishak Dal Central Committee Member Mainul Islam, and Jubo Dal Central Committee Vice President Zahidur Rahman Dipu Sarkar.

Atiqur Rahman Atiq, organizing secretary of the upazila unit of the Krishak Sramik Janata League, is expected to be nominated for this seat. On the other hand, the name of Ghatail Upazila JaPa General Secretary Sujat Ali is heard.

Taking advantage of the conflict in the Awami League, most BNP leaders and activists chose Lutfar Rahman Khan Azad as a single candidate. They are more united and stronger than ever, desperate to regain the seat. The organizational base of BNP in Ghatail is very strong.

Current lawmaker Ataur Rahman Khan said all development activities of the current government have been implemented through transparency.

“I have risen above party opinion and developed Ghatail. I have spoken about the development of Ghatail in parliament several times. I have participated in various political programs of the district and upazila units. But I did not get involved in any political conflict,” he told Dhaka Tribune.

BNP’s Lutfar Rahman said the people have no confidence in the current government. People have turned away from the Awami League. “During my tenure as a minister, I ensured extensive development, including roads and infrastructure, in Ghatail Upazila. People are always supporting me because of that.

“Apart from this, I was impressed by the support I saw from the people while carrying out the national program. If the party participates in the next election, I expect to win with a huge margin of votes,” he said.