NARAYANGANJ, a historic city on the banks of the Shitalakshya and Meghna rivers, is once again at the centre of political attention. Part of the Greater Dhaka area, Narayanganj is home to nearly 10 lakh people, making it the sixth-largest city in the country.
The city has long been known as a hub of business and industry. Its thriving textile sector and once-dominant jute mills earned it the title of the "Dundee of Bangladesh". The name Narayanganj itself is rooted in history, deriving from Bicon Lal Pandey, a Hindu religious leader also known as Benur Thakur or Lakshmi Narayan Thakur.
Now, with the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election approaching, this district finds itself in the political spotlight. Preparations are in full swing across the district, widely regarded as one of the most politically sensitive regions of the country.
For the people of the district, the upcoming polls carry special significance. Due to boycotts and disputed elections in recent years, residents of this industrial hub have been unable to cast meaningful votes for nearly 17 years. The anticipation is therefore high, as citizens look forward to finally exercising their democratic right in what they hope will be a free, fair, and participatory election.
As campaigning heats up, the political landscape across the district five constituencies has become increasingly competitive. While the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is witnessing multiple leaders vying for nomination in almost every seat, the Islamist parties such as Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), and Khelafat Majlish, as well as left-leaning parties like Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BASAD), have nominated their candidates. The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), however, is yet to finalise its choices.
According to the Election Commission, Narayanganj had 22,55,060 registered voters during the 12th JS election. Ahead of the upcoming polls, the district has seen an addition of more than 88,000 new voters, raising the stakes for all parties seeking victory.
NARAYANGANJ-1: The constituency encompasses Rupganj Upazila with two municipalities and seven unions.
BNP's nomination hopefuls include Mostafizur Rahman Dipu Bhuiyan, Member of the National Executive Committee, Senior Joint Convener of District BNP, and President of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (NCC). Another strong contender is Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir, former president of the District BNP. Both are actively engaging in public meetings, courtyard gatherings, and grassroots campaigns.
Other parties, however, have already announced their candidates. Jamaat has declared Anwar Hossain Molla, Member of Rupganj Thana Council, as its candidate while Khelafat Majlish has nominated Emdadul Haque, General Secretary of Rupganj Thana. IAB's candidate is Mufti Emdadullah Hashemi, President of Rupganj Upazila Committee. CPB has nominated Moniruzzaman Chandan, District Committee Member and Upazila Secretary. NCP, however, has not yet revealed any potential candidate for this constituency.
NARAYANGANJ-2: The constituency incorporates Araihazar Upazila.
This seat, comprising 10 unions and two municipalities, is attracting several BNP aspirants. Among them are Nazrul Islam Azad, Assistant Organizing Secretary for Dhaka Division; Mahmudur Rahman Sumon, Assistant Economic Affairs Secretary; and Parvin Aktar, Organizing Secretary of BNP-affiliated Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal. All three have launched extensive campaigns at the grassroots level.
Interestingly, former BNP lawmaker Ataur Rahman Angur, once a prominent figure in Araihazar politics, has remained inactive in recent times, creating space for newer contenders.
For Jamaat, the declared candidate is Professor Ilias Molla, District Council Member and former chairman of Duptara Union Parishad. Khelafat Majlish has nominated Hafez Maulana Ahmad Ali, President of the District Committee, while IAB has chosen Mufti Habibullah Habib, Vice-President of the Metropolitan Committee. CPB has announced Hafizul Islam, Central Committee Member and District President, as its candidate.
No decision has been announced yet by NCP or other smaller parties.
NARAYANGANJ-3: The constituency encompasses Sonargaon Upazila.
Comprising 10 unions and one municipality this seat may see boundary changes following a draft proposal that seeks to attach five unions from Bandar Upazila to this seat. If approved, this redistricting could reshape the political balance.
The BNP has at least six prominent aspirants. These include Azharul Islam Mannan, Member of the National Executive Committee; former MP and former vice-president of District BNP Professor Rezaul Karim; a former MP, former vice-president of District BNP and freedom fighter Giasuddin; SM Oliur Rahman Apel, a freedom fighter and former director general of the Youth Development Department; Professor Imtiaz Ahmed Bakul, former vice-president of the central Jubo Dal; and Al Mujahid Mallik, Vice-President of the Upazila BNP. All of them are running intense campaigns.
Other parties have mostly finalised single candidates. Jamaat has declared Dr. Md. Iqbal Hossain Bhuiyan, Member of the Central Majlis-e-Shura, as its candidate. Islami Andolan's pick is Faruk Ahmed Munshi, Secretary of the Upazila Committee. Khelafat Majlish is fielding Mufti Sirajul Islam, President of Sonargaon Thana. CPB has declared Abdul Salam Babul, District Committee Member, while BASAD has chosen Belayet Hossain, Upazila Coordinator.
Unlike other constituencies, this constitution is also expected to witness new political entrants. NCP is considering Tuhin Mahmud, Central Committee Member and part-time lecturer at Hamdard University. Ganosanghati Andolan, meanwhile, may field Momin Hossain Pranto, Upazila Coordinator.
NARAYANGANJ-4: The constituency includes Fatullah and Siddhirganj thanas.
Among the five constituencies, this seat is often considered the most significant due to its high number of voters. However, boundary changes have been proposed here as well. Ten wards of Siddhirganj Municipality may be shifted here, which could dramatically alter candidate calculations.
Within BNP, multiple contenders have already emerged. These include former MP and former president of the district BNP Bir Muktijoddha Gias Uddin; industrialist Shah Alam, former senior vice-president of the district BNP and former president of Fatullah Thana BNP; Professor Mamun Mahmud, Convener of the District BNP; Masukul Islam Rajib, Joint Convener and former convener of the District Chatra Dal; and Moshiur Rahman Rony, Member Secretary of the District Jubo Dal.
A potential coalition factor could also come into play as Monir Hossain Kashemi, Central Joint Secretary General of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam and President of the District Committee, is rumoured to seek candidacy under a BNP-led alliance, as he did in the 11th parliamentary elections.
Jamaat has declared Maulana Abdul Jabbar, Central Council Member and City Ameer, as its candidate while Khelafat Majlish nominated Ilias Ahmad, General Secretary of the Metropolitan Committee. IAB may choose from three potential names: Mufti Ismail Siraji Al Madani, Central Joint Secretary of the National Olama-Mashayekh Council; Maulana Din Islam, President of the District Committee; or Advocate Shafiqul Islam, President of the Fatullah Committee.
NCP may nominate Abdullah Al Amin, Central Joint Member Secretary, while Ganosanghati Andolan has two possible contenders-Moshiur Rahman Richard, District Committee Member, and Zahid Sujan, Secretary for Information and Research of the District Committee. CPB has announced Iqbal Hossain, District Committee Member and labour leader, while BASAD is fielding Selim Mahmud, Central Secretary of the Socialist Workers' Front and President of the District Committee.
NARAYANGANJ-5: The constituency comprises Bandar Upazila and Narayanganj Thana portion of Narayanganj Sadar Upazila.
Narayanganj Thana consists of Narayanganj Municipality, and Alirtek and Gognagar Union Parishads.
This constituency is also likely to undergo boundary changes, making predictions difficult. Yet BNP is already seeing a crowd of aspirants.
The list includes former MP and former president of the City BNP Advocate Abul Kalam; Masuduzzaman Masud, former president of the NCC and Managing Director of Model Group; Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan, Convener of the City BNP; Advocate Abu Al Yusuf Tipu, Member Secretary of the City BNP; industrialist Abu Zafar Ahmed Babul; and Zakir Khan, former president of the District Chatra Dal.
Jamaat's candidate is Maulana Moinuddin Ahmed, Central Executive Member, while IAB nominated Mufti Masum Billah, President of the Metropolitan Committee. Khelafat Majlish has nominated ABM Sirajul Mamun, Joint Secretary General.
Ganosanghati Andolan announced Toriqul Sujon, District Coordinator, while Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam is considering Maulana Ferdousur Rahman, Secretary of the District Committee.
NCP is expected to nominate Ahmedur Rahman Tanu, Central Committee Member and Director of the NCC. CPB has confirmed Advocate Montu Ghosh, Central and District Committee Member. BASAD has nominated Abu Nayeem Biplob, Member Secretary of the District Committee.
Analysts suggest that Islamist and leftist parties have gained an advantage by finalising their candidates early and beginning grassroots campaigns. In contrast, BNP's indecision-owing to multiple aspirants in every seat-may create internal divisions.
Moreover, allegations of extortion and other irregularities against some BNP leaders and affiliates have dented the party's public image in Narayanganj.
Observers caution that unless BNP projects a new generation of honest, educated, and people-oriented leaders, voter frustration may rise, leading to negative results at the ballot box.
