MOULVIBAZAR, situated in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh under Sylhet Division, is renowned for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and economic significance. The district is characterised by a unique landscape of hills, plains, and wetlands, making it one of the most picturesque regions of the country. Known as the "tea capital of Bangladesh," it hosts the majority of the nation's tea gardens, contributing significantly to the economy.
Tea cultivation is the most prominent feature of Moulvibazar. Sreemangal and Kamalganj upazilas are famous for their sprawling tea estates, often called the "land of two leaves and a bud." The district also offers breathtaking natural attractions, including Madhabkunda, the largest waterfall in Bangladesh, and Lawachara National Park, home to rare wildlife such as hoolock gibbons. Seasonal wetlands, or haors, provide habitats for migratory birds and enhance the district's scenic charm.
Moulvibazar is a melting pot of cultures. Alongside the Bengali population, ethnic communities such as the Manipuri, Khasia, Tripuri, and tea-worker communities live in the district. Each group brings unique traditions, crafts, and festivals, giving the region a vibrant cultural identity. The Manipuri are known for their traditional dance and weaving, while the Khasia people maintain distinctive forest-based lifestyles.
The district is also recognised for its large expatriate community, especially in the UK and the Middle East. Remittances sent by these overseas workers support local development, fund schools, hospitals, and mosques, and strengthen the district's economy. Tourism thrives here as well, with visitors exploring tea gardens, eco-parks, waterfalls, and cultural festivals, making Sreemangal a notable centre for eco-tourism.
As the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, scheduled for February, draws closer, political activities across Moulvibazar's four constituencies have started to intensify. Potential candidates from different political parties are actively participating in social and organizational events to make their presence felt among voters.
Despite being historically strong in the region, the ruling Awami League (AL) is facing severe organizational weakness in Moulvibazar. Several party leaders, once visible and influential, are now inactive. Some have reportedly left the country, while others are staying out of the public eye, allegedly to avoid legal action or unwanted political fallout. This has made the party's activists largely inactive, creating a vacuum that opposition parties are attempting to exploit.
The Jatiya Party (JaPa), once considered a force in the district during the Ershad era, has been unable to regain its footing in Moulvibazar. Since the fall of Ershad's government, the party has consistently failed to secure meaningful results in parliamentary elections. While there are isolated attempts to stay relevant, JaPa's presence is minimal compared to the stronger opposition forces.
In the current political scenario, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami are emerging as the most active forces in this district. Both parties have been ramping up their political and social activities to win over public sentiment ahead of the upcoming polls.
Jamaat has already announced the names of its candidates in all four constituencies of the district while BNP is yet to finalise its nominations. However, multiple potential candidates from BNP have been identified in every constituency, suggesting possible internal challenges during the nomination process.
In addition, several right-leaning Islamist parties such as Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish (BKM), IAB, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and Khelafat Majlish have also made their candidate lists public, further diversifying the electoral contest.
Meanwhile, the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), which has drawn nationwide attention as a rising political player, has made sporadic appearances in the district. However, its election-centric activities in Moulvibazar remain limited so far.
As the election season gains momentum, political observers note that the candidate list across Moulvibazar's four constituencies may expand further. Several individuals are testing their popularity while others may withdraw based on party decisions or alliance strategies.
MOULVIBAZAR-1: The constituency encompasses Barlekha and Juri upazilas.
The constituency is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the district. From BNP, the names of Nasir Uddin Ahmed, member of the Moulvibazar District unit Convening Committee, Shariful Haque Saju, Secretary of the Qatar unit of BNP, and Dr. Mudabbir Hussain Munim, a chartered accountant, former adviser to UK BNP, and a close associate assisting BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman during his stay in the UK are being heard as potential candidates.
Aminul Islam, Member of the Moulvibazar District unit, is Jamaat's declared candidate for this seat.
Dr. Mudabbir Hossain Munim, former adviser to UK BNP, and a close associate assisting BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman during his stay in the UK, will seek the BNP nomination from Moulvibazar-1 constituency.
Other Islamist parties are also fielding contenders: Lukman Ahmed, Vice-President of the Qatar unit of Khelafat Majlish; Maulana Anwar Hussen, General Secretary, Relief and Social Welfare Department at Juri Upazila IAB; Badrul Islam of Jamiat Ulema; and Maulana Saiful Islam Iahiya, President of the Arab-Emirat unit of BKM, are among those expected to contest.
This crowded field may significantly split the Islamist vote, making the outcome less predictable and increasing the possibility of an upset.
MOULVIBAZAR-2: The constituency covers Kulaura Upazila.
In this seat, BNP's Advocate Abed Raja, member of the District unit Convening Committee and Showkatul Islam Saku, former upazila president, are active contenders.
On the Jamaat side, the District Ameer, M. Shahed Ali, is their chosen candidate.
Interestingly, former MP Nawab Ali Abbas Khan from Jatiya Party (JP)-Kazi Zafar faction is also likely to contest, signalling JaPa's attempt to regain some ground.
IAB has fielded Maulana Abdul Kuddus, District President, as their candidate for the seat. Smaller parties are also active, with Saifur Rahman Khokon, Atpara Upazila President of Khelafat Majlis, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Assistant General Secretary of the Kulaura Upazila unit of BKM, joining the race.
MOULVIBAZAR-3: The constituency incorporates Moulvibazar Sadar and Rajnagar upazilas.
This constituency is witnessing the presence of heavyweight politicians. BNP has several potential candidates, including former MP and BNP Central Committee Member M. Naser Rahman, BNP Chairperson's Adviser Mahidur Rahman, and former District unit Secretary Mizanur Rahman Mizan, who is also the chairman of Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila Parishad.
Jamaat has already finalised Abdul Mannan, former secretary of the District unit and now a member of the Sylhet Regional Committee of the party, as its candidate here.
Other contenders include Ahmed Billal from Khelafat Majlish, former vice-chairman of Rajnagar Upazila and now a member of the party's Central Committee; Moulana Lutfur Rahman Kamily, Assistant General Secretary of the District unit of BKM; Maulana Ebadur Rahman Chowdhury, General Secretary of District IAB;; and Jamil Ahmed Ansary from Jamiat Ulema.
MOULVIBAZAR-4: This parliamentary area covers Kamalganj- Sreemangal upazilas.
This tea-rich region is politically vibrant. BNP has two potential candidates: Haji Mujibur Rahman, who contested in previous elections, and Mohsin Miah Madhu, a former mayor of Sreemangal Municipality.
Jamaat has declared Advocate Abdur Rob, Assistant General Secretary of the party's Sylhet City unit, as its candidate.
The NCP may also put forward Pritom Das, Joint-Coordinator of the central unit as a candidate here, marking one of its more concrete moves in the district.
Other probable contestants include Maulana Salah Uddin, President of Sreemangal Upazila IAB, Sheikh Noor-e-Alam Hamidy of Jamiat Ulema, Nurul Muttakin Junayed, District Vice-President of Khelafat Majlish, and Maulana Joynul Abedin Shahpuri, President of Kamalganj Upazila unit of BKM.
For voters in Moulvibazar, the choice will be complex. The district's diverse demographics-tea workers, Manipuri, Khasia, and other minority groups alongside mainstream Bengalis-make it a politically sensitive region where candidates must balance promises of development with the representation of community identities.
With several months still left before the polls, the political temperature in Moulvibazar is expected to rise further. BNP's internal nomination battles, Jamaat's early announcements, and the manoeuvres of smaller Islamist parties will all play a role in shaping the final electoral map.
For now, the spotlight is firmly on BNP, Jamaat, and the growing band of smaller Islamist and emerging parties, all of whom see Moulvibazar as a district where fortunes could shift dramatically in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
