BNP, Jamaat intensify campaign; NCP, IAB, JaPa active in Mymensingh

MYMENSINGH, a district rich in education, culture, and heritage, is witnessing growing political activities ahead of the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election. Candidates from various political parties are lobbying with their central leaders in hope of securing party nominations.

In almost every constituency, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has multiple potential contenders. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has finalised and announced candidates for 10 out of the district's 11 constituencies, while National Citizen Party (NCP) shows little visible momentum.

Historically, Mymensingh has played a significant role in political movements and struggles, and this legacy continues to shape the district's political landscape. As the election approaches, party leaders and workers are becoming increasingly focused on their respective areas.
The district's 13 upazilas and 14 police stations are divided into 11 constituencies for parliamentary representation. With a population of over 58 lakh, Mymensingh has entered full election mode since the Chief Adviser's announcement regarding the polls. Political leaders-especially from BNP and Jamaat-have intensified grassroots campaigning.

Since August 5, Awami League (AL) leaders in this district, like elsewhere in the country, have either fled to India or other countries, gone into hiding within Bangladesh, or been imprisoned.

The current government has banned political activities of the AL until the perpetrators of the 2025 mass killings are brought to justice. As a result, the upcoming election will primarily feature BNP, Jamaat, NCP, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), Jatiya Party (JaPa), and several smaller parties.

The BNP has multiple potential candidates in almost every constituency, while Jamaat has declared names for 10 out of 11, leaving one seat to be contested by Bangladesh Development Party (DBC), another Islamic group.

The Chief Adviser's declaration has further fuelled the momentum. For ordinary voters, this marks the first opportunity in nearly 16 years to exercise their right to vote-sparking renewed enthusiasm across the district. BNP, Jamaat, and NCP candidates are already active on the ground, engaging in intense voter outreach.
MYMENSINGH-1: The constituency includes Dhobaura and Haluaghat upazilas comprising one municipality and 19 unions with a population of 504,000.

Several names are being discussed among locals as potential BNP candidates, including Syed Imran Saleh Prince, Joint Secretary General of the BNP Central Executive Committee; Afzal H. Khan, Adviser to the BNP Chairperson and Central Executive Committee Member; and Salman Omar Rubel, District Committee Member.

Jamaat has officially declared Mahfuzur Rahman, Rokon (policy-level leader) of the district Metropolitan Charpara Organizational Thana Unit and former district president of Islami Chhatra Shibir, as its candidate.

From the NCP, the name of Md. Saifullah, Joint Member Secretary of the Central Committee of the Democratic Student Union, is being mentioned.

MYMENSINGH-2: The constituency incorporates Phulpur and Tarakanda upazilas with one municipality and 20 unions, and a population of 600,000.

The names gaining public attention as potential BNP candidates are: Motahar Hossain Talukder, Convener of Mymensingh North District BNP and former upazila chairman; and Advocate Abul Bashar Akand, Vice-President of Central Krishak Dal.
Jamaat has declared Md Mahbub Alam Mandol, former Ameer of Upazila Committee, as its candidate.

MYMENSINGH-3: The constituency encompasses Gouripur Upazila.

In this constituency, possible BNP candidates include Engineer M. Iqbal Hossain, Member of the Standing Committee of BNP; Ahmad Tayebur Rahman Hiron, former upazila chairman and Upazila BNP Convener; and Habibul Islam Khan Shahid, Upazila BNP Joint Convener Jamaat has officially nominated Maulana Badruzzaman, the Ameer of its Gauripur Upazila unit.

MYMENSINGH-4: The constituency comprises Mymensingh Sadar Upazila and City Corporation, with a population of 809,324.
Politically, it is considered one of the most important constituencies in the district.

Mymensingh City holds a heritage of political movements and struggles, and recent election fervour has intensified local campaigning.

The race here is expected to be competitive, with two BNP leaders in focus-Abu Wahab Akand Wahid, Member Secretary of the Metropolitan BNP, and Rokonuzzaman Sarkar Rokon, Member Secretary of the District BNP.

Jamaat has declared Maulana Kamrul Ahsan Emrul, the Ameer of Metropolitan Jamaat, as its candidate.

MYMENSINGH-5: The constituency encompasses Muktagacha Upazila comprising one municipality and 10 unions with a population of 431,984.

In this constituency, the potential BNP candidate is Alhaj Zakir Hossain Bablu, Convener of Mymensingh South District BNP.
Jamaat's candidate is Alhaj Matiur Rahman Akand, a member of the party's Central Executive Council, Secretary of the Publicity Department, and former president of Islami Chhatra Shibir.

The candidate from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish is Mufti Habibur Rahman, Central Executive Committee Member.
IAB is expected to field Maulana Sirajul Islam, Joint Organizing Secretary of Dhaka North Metropolitan Unit, while Salahuddin Ahmed Mukti, Vice-President of the JaPa Central Committee, is also being discussed as a possible contender.

Recently, news emerged that the JaPa has split into three factions. When contacted over the phone regarding this matter, Salahuddin Ahmed Mukti said he remains with the main faction led by GM Quader. He added that he would contest the upcoming election under GM Quader's leadership.

MYMENSINGH-6: The constituency incorporates Fulbaria Upazila comprising one municipality and 13 unions with a population of 466,000.

Within the BNP, multiple contenders are actively maintaining communication with the party's central leadership to secure nomination. On the other hand, Jamaat appears confident, as it has already finalised and announced its candidate.

As the election draws closer, the pace of political activities, particularly the outreach efforts of potential candidates, is increasing.

The BNP nomination race is highly competitive, featuring aspirants from diverse backgrounds, including retired military officers, politicians, lawyers, and businessmen. Jamaat, however, is moving forward in a more consolidated manner with a single candidate.

Those seeking BNP's nomination include Akhtarul Alam Faruk, businessman and Convener of Fulbaria Upazila BNP; Abdul Karim Sarkar, former publicity secretary of the Central Jubo Dal and Upazila BNP member; Brigadier General (Retd.)

Professor Dr. Saiful Islam Badol, a member of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia's medical team and former student leader at Mymensingh Medical College; Tanvir Ahmed Rana, son of late Engineer Shamsuddin Ahmed; Mamunur Rashid, former student leader and Joint Convener of the Upazila BNP; Advocate Rezaul Karim, Joint Convenor of the Upazila BNP; and Principal Md. Sirajul Islam, Member of the BNP Upazila Committee.

Jamaat's declared candidate is Principal Md. Kamrul Hasan Milon, Nayeb-e-Ameer of the District Jamaat.

From IAB, the name of Maulana Mamunur Rashid, a district unit leader, is being discussed as their candidate.

MYMENSINGH-7: The constituency encompasses Trishal Upazila comprising one municipality and 12 unions with a population of 435,000.

In the upcoming election, several BNP names are being discussed-Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Liton, former convenor of South District Unit and a Central Committee member; Zainal Abedin, former upazila chairman; Muhammad Anwar Sadat, a BNP leader, and Amin Sarkar, former chairman of Trishal Municipality.

Jamaat's declared candidate is Asaduzzaman Sohel, Nayeb-e-Ameer of the Metropolitan Unit.

NCP is considering Trishal Upazila Coordinator Abul Kalam Farazi as its candidate.

From IAB, Ibrahim Khalil Ullah, Trishal Upazila President, is a potential candidate.

MYMENSINGH-8: The constituency incorporates Ishwarganj Upazila having one municipality and 11 unions with a population of 391,000.

BNP's likely candidates include Upazila Convener Lutful Majed Babu and former MP Shah Nurul Kabir Shaheen.

Jamaat's declared candidate is Manjurul Haque, Ameer of Ishwarganj Upazila Unit.

LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) is fielding Alhaj M.A. Bashar, while Bangladesh Labour Party's candidate is Aurangzeb Belal.

MYMENSINGH-9: The constituency incorporates Nandail Upazila comprising one municipality and 12 unions with a population of 418,539

The BNP has several potential candidates- Upazila BNP Convenor Yaser Khan Chowdhury, Major General (Retd.) Anwarul Momen, Member of BNP's Upazila Unit Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam Shams, expatriate Naser Khan Chowdhury, and businessman and expatriate Mamun Bin Abdul Mannan.

Jamaat has not declared any candidate for this constituency.

NCP is considering Central Committee member Ashikin Alam Rajon as its candidate.

IAB is likely to nominate Maulana Mufti Saidur Rahman, and candidate of Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) might be Mahbub Alam Mahbub.

MYMENSINGH-10: The constituency encompasses Gafargaon Upazila, which has one municipality and 15 unions with a population of 447,574.

BNP's potential nominees include Mymensingh South District BNP Joint Convener A.B. Siddiqur Rahman, Joint Convenor of District Unit Alamgir Mahmud Alam, District Committee members- Dr. Mofakhkharul Islam Rana, Akhtaruzzaman Bacchu, Al Fatah Mohammad Abdul Hannan Khan, and Mushfiqur Rahman.

Jamaat has declared Maulana Ismail Hossain Sohel, Pagla Thana Jamaat Ameer, as its candidate.
NCP's aspirant is Gafargaon Upazila Chief Coordinator Majharul Islam Fakir, and IAB's nomination seeker is Qari Habibullah Belali.

MYMENSINGH-11: The constituency comprises Bhaluka Upazila, an industrial hub, with one municipality and 11 unions, and a population of 447,296.

In the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad election, with the AL absent from the field, a contest is expected mainly between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

BNP is divided into two groups, both lobbying hard for the nomination, leading to intense internal calculations and discussions.

The BNP hopefuls are Acting Upazila Convener Murshed Alam, former upazila convener Advocate Anwarul Aziz Tutul, and Zia Brigade Central President Barrister Abul Hossain.

Jamaat's declared candidate is Saif Ullah Pathan Fazlu, Ameer of Bhaluka Upazila Unit.

From the NCP, the name of Dr. Zahedul Islam, Central Joint Member Secretary, is being mentioned.