MADARIPUR, a central district of Bangladesh steeped in rich history, cultural heritage, and economic significance, is emerging as one of the most competitive battlegrounds ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election. Long considered a stronghold of the Awami League (AL), the district's political landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift as multiple Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) aspirants scramble for nominations across its three constituencies while Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) have already finalised their candidates and launched active campaigns.
The district, known for its strategic location, rich agricultural land, and cultural heritage, is now a focal point of intense political competition. The Padma Bridge has transformed Madaripur into a crucial communication hub for the country's south-western region, adding to its strategic importance. But despite this connectivity and the fact that several top AL leaders hail from the district, locals feel that development has lagged. A four-lane road, built at a cost of Tk 200 crore, is already in disrepair after just five years. The 100-bed district hospital, upgraded to 250 beds, remains incomplete and lacks full service. Furthermore, Madaripur has seen no major industrial development or the establishment of a medical or a university, despite persistent demands from the public.
In this context of unfulfilled promises and shifting political dynamics, the opposition is gaining ground. Candidates from Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamic parties are actively engaging with the public, aiming to win hearts and minds. Potential candidates from various parties are making their presence felt across the district, participating in public rallies and meetings to draw the attention of voters.
The district, with its five upazilas and four municipalities, has three parliamentary seats. With a total vote count of 403,742 in the last election, Madaripur-2 is the largest constituency in terms of voter numbers. All three constituencies are witnessing a surge of candidates vying for the BNP nomination. While multiple candidates are in the race, they have pledged to support whoever is ultimately chosen by the party's high command. On the other hand, Jamaat and IAB have already finalised their candidates for all seats, giving them a head start.
Since the events of August 5, many AL activists have gone into hiding. Those who remain are either staying low or trying to secure their positions by joining other political parties. The abundance of BNP candidates is proving advantageous for these opportunists.
MADARIPUR-1: The constituency encompasses Shibchar Upazila.
In this seat, several BNP leaders have already launched their campaigns, holding public gatherings and workers' meetings. The race for the BNP ticket includes prominent names like Kamal Zaman Nuruddin Mollah, Convenor of the Shibchar Upazila BNP; former Member of Parliament Nadira Mithu Chowdhury; District BNP Joint Convenor Sajjad Hossain Lavlu Siddiqui; and former upazila president Yajjem Hossain Roman. Additionally, Advocate Md. Rokon Uddin Mia, organizing secretary of the Central Committee of the Jatiyatabadi Lawyers Forum, is also seeking the nomination and has already begun his public outreach.
Jamaat has declared Maulana Sarwar Hossain, Shibchar Upazila Ameer, as its candidate.
The party has mobilised its full force, with activists and leaders conducting grassroots campaigns from the upazila headquarters down to the union, ward, and even village levels. They have already formed election management committees. Similarly, Maulana Akram Hossain, the IAB candidate and an adviser to the district unit, is also active on the ground.
Nadira Mithu Chowdhury, a former BNP Member of Parliament, expressed her confidence, stating, "I have always been active in BNP politics. I have worked tirelessly for the party, and both the party workers and the high command are aware of my dedication and sacrifice. Therefore, I am fully optimistic that I will get the nomination."
Another contender, Sajjad Hossain Lavlu Siddiqui, said, "I contested the 2018 election, and I hope to receive the nomination this time as well."
Jamaat's candidate Maulana Sarwar Hossain highlighted his party's readiness. "We have already started our election activities. Centre-based committees have been formed. We have held rallies in several areas and are conducting meetings in markets and bazaars. In these gatherings, we are urging people to give Jamaat a chance to save the country from corruption and various irregularities."
MADARIPUR-2: The constituency is comprised of Rajoir Upazila, Madaripur Municipality, and ten union parishads of Madaripur Sadar Upazila.
For nearly 35 years, this seat was the exclusive domain of AL Presidium Member Shajahan Khan. Following his fall from grace, several BNP leaders are now locked in a fierce battle to become the next Member of Parliament (MP) for this constituency. Jamaat and IAB have also announced their candidates for this seat.
The contenders for the BNP nomination include Senior Advocate Md. Zafar Ali Mia, Convenor of the District BNP; Helen Zerin Khan, former BNP MP for a reserved women's seat; district BNP Member Secretary Jahandar Ali Jahan; former central Chhatra Dal leader Milton Baidya, a resident of Rajoir; and Masud Parvez, former VP of Government Nazimuddin University College and District Volunteer Team Member Secretary. Helen Zerin Khan has contested from this seat before.
Jamaat's declared candidate for this seat is Maulana Abdus Sobahan Khan, former District Ameer and a member of the Faridpur regional team.
IAB's candidate is Maulana Lokman Hossain Jafri, the party's Central Committee Office Secretary. Khelafat Majlish has finalised District Committee Adviser Abdus Sobhan as its candidate.
Senior Advocate and BNP leader Md. Zafar Ali Mia said, "I have been directly involved in BNP politics since 1990. I have worked for the party and the people as the general secretary and president of the Municipal and Thana Committees. Last July, I was harassed with various false cases of the fascist Hasina government. Therefore, I hope to get the party nomination to serve the party and the people."
Jahandar Ali Jahan expressed his long-standing commitment. "I have been involved in politics for 44 years. During this long period, I have been active in all BNP movements. I have been jailed multiple times and subjected to much torture. I have never been involved in extortion, land grabbing, or abuse of power. On that basis, I am confident that I will get the nomination."
BNP leader Helen Zerin Khan said, "I was the BNP candidate for this seat in the 2018 parliamentary election. I have been with the BNP since my student days, and I believe the party will nominate me."
Milton Baidya, a BNP leader, said, "I have always worked on the ground. I am sure that the party will nominate me."
Masud Parvez, former VP of Government Nazimuddin University College and District Volunteer Team Member Secretary, said, "I have endured various forms of imprisonment and oppression from the fascist Hasina government and have remained with the party. So, I hope to get the nomination."
Maulana Abdus Sobahan Khan of Jamaat-e-Islami said, "We have started working at the grassroots level in preparation for the election. Centre-based committees have been formed in every centre of this constituency. We are running campaigns through posters, leaflets, and various other means. We are also holding meetings with important individuals and public representatives."
MADARIPUR-3: The constituency incorporates Kalkini Upazila, Dasar Upazila and five union parishads of Madaripur Sadar Upazila.
This parliamentary area has traditionally been an AL stronghold. However, support for the ruling party has reportedly waned since Abdus Sobhan Golap, who was alleged for corruption, was elected. The BNP's chances here are complicated by a feud between two central leaders vying for the nomination, which has split the local party into two factions. Taking advantage of this rift, some local BNP leaders are reportedly engaged in land grabbing and extortion. In contrast, Jamaat and IAB have announced their candidates and are working tirelessly on the ground.
The two central BNP leaders vying for the nomination are Mashukur Rahman Mashuk, Assistant Organizing Secretary of the Central Committee, and Anisur Rahman Talukder Khokon, Assistant Secretary for Mass Education on the Central Committee. Both are actively lobbying party workers in their respective areas.
BNP nomination contender Mashukur Rahman Mashuk said, "I have been involved in BNP politics for 45 years. I have been the voice of the BNP in this constituency since there was no one else to speak for it. I have built the BNP's political presence here brick by brick. In the short time since August 5, many have been tainted with controversy and disgrace. I believe that for my honesty and dedication to the party, I am the rightful recipient of the nomination."
Jamaat's declared candidate for the seat is Rafiqul Islam Mridha, Ameer of Kalkini Municipality. They have also formed an election management committee for this seat and are running campaigns in every ward.
The IAB candidate is Maulana SM Azizul Haque, a youth movement leader from the Faridpur region.
BNP's biggest challenge is not external rivals but internal unity as multiple contenders in each seat vie for nomination.
Jamaat and IAB, in contrast, enjoy organizational discipline and have already hit the ground running.
Local analysts believe the election could mark a turning point. If BNP manages to rally around single candidates per constituency, it stands a strong chance of capitalising on discontent with the ruling party. But if factionalism persists, Islamist parties may emerge as unexpected beneficiaries.
