KUSHTIA, a district in south-western Bangladesh, occupies a unique place in the nation's cultural, historical, and literary landscape. Known as the land of mystics and poets, Kushtia has given the country some of its greatest spiritual icons, writers, and reformers. It is also a district that witnessed significant historical movements and continues to attract visitors for its heritage and traditions.
One of the foremost reasons Kushtia is famous is its deep connection with the mystic saint Lalon Shah. Revered as one of the greatest Baul philosophers, Lalon lived in Cheuriya of Kumarkhali Upazila, where his Akhra remains a place of spiritual pilgrimage. His songs and philosophy transcended religious boundaries and emphasised humanity, equality, and devotion. Every year, thousands of devotees, researchers, and music enthusiasts from home and abroad gather in Kushtia to celebrate Lalon's legacy. The annual Lalon Mela has become one of the district's signature cultural events, showcasing the Baul tradition that UNESCO has recognised as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Kushtia also has a close association with the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The poet lived in Shilaidaha Kuthibari, where he managed his family's estate and composed many of his timeless works, including poetry, essays, and songs. Today, Kuthibari stands as a museum and heritage site, drawing Tagore admirers and cultural tourists. The Shilaidaha festival held every year commemorates Tagore's contribution to literature and celebrates the cultural richness of the area.
The district's literary heritage further shines through the contributions of Mir Mosharraf Hossain, one of the pioneers of Bangla prose, whose masterpiece Bishad Sindhu remains a landmark in Bengali literature.
Historically, Kushtia played an important role during the Liberation War of 1971. The Battle of Kushtia was one of the earliest organized resistances against the Pakistani army, setting the tone for the nationwide struggle for independence. The district is also remembered for its role in the anti-colonial indigo revolts during the British period.
Economically, Kushtia has been a significant centre of industry and handicrafts. It is home to one of the country's earliest sugar mills, established in 1961. The district is also known for its vibrant handloom weaving tradition, producing fine cotton and silk fabrics. Additionally, tobacco, garments, and dairy industries contribute to its economy.
This backdrop of rich history and culture frames today's electoral politics. Kushtia, once considered a stronghold of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has undergone dramatic shifts. Years of what political leaders describe as authoritarian rule and voter disenfranchisement under the Awami League (AL) government, have shaken the district's political ground.
Locals argue that for nearly a decade and a half, genuine voting rights were denied, leaving frustration among the electorate.
With the July Revolution ushering in hopes for a fresh political landscape, enthusiasm is returning to Kushtia. For the first time in years, people are dreaming of an inclusive and festive election atmosphere where they can freely vote for candidates of their choice. This anticipation has energised all major political players, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), National Citizen Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) , and other smaller parties.
Kushtia's five upazilas are divided into four parliamentary constituencies, and electioneering is heating up across all of them. Leaders from different political camps are out in the field with promises to restore democracy, ensure development, and address local grievances. Yet their strategies and organizational strengths vary widely.
The BNP, despite being one of the largest opposition parties, continues to struggle with internal conflicts. Years of leadership disputes and factionalism have left the party deeply divided. In Kushtia, this division has become increasingly visible as the atmosphere of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election takes shape. District BNP leaders cannot even sit together in a single office; instead, they run separate activities from multiple offices, each backed by different factions.
This disunity is likely to weaken BNP's ability to campaign effectively. Regardless of who ultimately secures the nomination, bridging these divides will remain a formidable challenge. Adding to the party's woes are allegations of extortion and land-grabbing by a section of its local leaders and activists, which risk alienating ordinary voters and damaging the credibility of the "Sheaf of Paddy," BNP's electoral symbol.
In contrast, the Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamic party, appears better organized. Free from factional quarrels, the party has already announced its candidates. By nominating educated and relatively clean leaders, Jamaat has managed to generate positive responses among sections of the electorate. Their candidates are actively visiting constituencies, engaging in grassroots campaigns, and attempting to win over undecided voters.
Other parties such as IAB, NCP, and GOP are also campaigning with visible energy, although their electoral weight remains uncertain. These parties are highlighting issues such as governance reform, corruption-free administration, and citizens' rights, hoping to draw support from frustrated voters who are disillusioned with both BNP and Awami League.
Observers note that Kushtia's electoral outcome will largely depend on whether BNP can overcome its internal rifts and project unity. If divisions persist, the party risks losing ground in what was once its bastion, opening the door for Jamaat or smaller parties to increase their influence.
KUSHTIA- 1: The constituency encompasses Daulatpur Upazila.
Bordering India, this upazila has long been considered a BNP bastion. But factional feuds have deeply fractured the party here. At least three major groups now operate under competing leaders.
One faction is led by former MP and Upazila BNP President Reza Ahmed Bachchu Molla, whose supporters, including his brother and son, face allegations of extortion around the Daulatpur Sub-Registrar office as well as illicit activities in the Padma River char areas and border zones with local leader Shishir Molla's leadership.
A second faction is steered by former BNP Joint Convener Nuruzzaman Hablur Molla, who has been accused of involvement in illegal cigarette manufacturing.
The third group is loyal to former BNP member secretary Shahidul Islam Sarkar Mangal, who commands the support of grassroots workers and ordinary activists disillusioned with the other two camps.
Ordinary residents, once loyal to BNP, now complain of harassment and extortion by sections of local leaders. Unless these internal rifts and alleged misdeeds are curbed, Daulatpur's BNP fortress could crumble, paving the way for Jamaat to consolidate its strength.
For the BNP nomination, several aspirants are in the race: former MP Bachchu Molla, Dhaka North Jubo Dal Convener Sharif Uddin Jewel, former member secretary Shahid Sarkar Mangal, former joint convener Nuruzzaman Hablur Molla, and central JCD Joint General Secretary Hasnain Nahian Sajib. Multiple other hopefuls are lobbying BNP's high command.
In contrast, Jamaat has nominated Maulana Belal Uddin, the Upazila Vice-President, while IAB named Mufti Aminul Islam, Upazila President of the party. Khelafat Majlis's pick is Maulana Shariful Islam, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis has announced Senior Vice-President Maulana Asaduzzaman. NCP's central leader Nusrat Tabachchum is also expected to contest in the election.
KUSHTIA-2: The constituency encompasses Bheramara and Mirpur upazilas.
Here, BNP remains organisationally dominated by supporters of former MP Professor Shahidul Islam, though he is not seeking nomination this time. Rising in prominence is Barrister Ragib Rouf Chowdhury, a BNP National Executive Member who earned grassroots goodwill by providing legal assistance to activists facing cases.
Other BNP hopefuls include Farida Yasmin, former general secretary of the undivided Dhaka District Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, and Advocate Touhidul Islam Alam Malitha, Convenor of Upazila BNP. Adding intrigue, BNP's long-time ally Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) also has a strong contender Ahsan Habib Lincoln, former MP and current party Secretary-General, who previously contested from this seat in 2018 under BNP's "Sheaf of Paddy" symbol. His supporters are already campaigning online for a repeat nomination.
Jamaat has declared Abdul Gafur, Nayeb-e-Ameer of the District unit, and former Mirpur Upazila chairman, as its candidate.
Other declared candidates include District GS Hafiz Maulana Muhammad Arifuzzaman Arif from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khelafat Majlis's District President Mufti Abdul Hamid, and Principal Maulana Mohammad Ali, local leader of IAB.
KUSHTIA-3: The constituency covers Sadar Upazila.
The seat is witnessing a sharp rivalry within BNP.
Grassroots activists largely remain loyal to former MP and Central BNP Cooperative Affairs Secretary Professor Sohrab Uddin, but the newly formed District Convening Committee is dominated by followers of Engineer Zakir Hossain Sarkar, the current Member Secretary.
Clashes over dominance have unsettled several unions, with both camps accused of employing AL activists to intimidate rivals.
Ordinary voters, frustrated by extortion and factionalism, may drift towards Jamaat, especially among the youths.
For BNP's nomination, the frontrunners are Professor Sohrab Uddin, District BNP Convener Kutub Uddin Ahmed, Engineer Zakir Hossain, and former Kushtia Government College Student Union VP Advocate Shamim Ul Hasan Apu.
Kutub Uddin said, "As a long-standing BNP activist, I seek the party's nomination. Regardless of who receives it, we must unite to deliver Kushtia's seats to Khaleda Zia."
Jamaat, meanwhile, has fielded well-known Islamic preacher Mufti Amir Hamza, while Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis nominated District President Maulana Abdul Latif Khan. IAB named District President and Freedom Fighter Ahmad Ali, and Khelafat Majlis announced Central Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Sirajul Haque.
KUSHTIA-4: The constituency encompasses Khoksa and Kumarkhali upazilas.
In this eastern seat, BNP is engrossed by a long-standing rivalry between two senior leaders: Syed Mehdi Ahmed Rumi, party Chairerson's Adviser and former MP, and Nurul Islam Ansar Pramanik, four-time former mayor of Kumarkhali Municipality and Joint Convener of District BNP.
The situation has grown more complicated with the emergence of two additional factions - one led by Sheikh Sadi, a District Joint Convener claiming close ties with BNP's high command, and another by Hafez Md. Moinuddin, an Executive Member of the BNP Central Krishak Dal.
All four leaders are seeking the BNP nomination. Hafiz Moinuddin declared, "The future of Bangladesh rests on youth leadership. I want to contest here to strengthen Tarique Rahman's hand."
Jamaat has nominated Afzal Hossain, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Kumarkhali Upazila and former Upazila vice-chairman. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis has announced Fazle Nur Diko, General Secretary of Kumarkhali Thana Branch while Khelafat Majlis named Maulana Ali Ashraf. IAB picked up Khoksa Upazila President Anwar Khan.
Kushtia's political scene thus reflects both its historical importance and present-day turmoil. BNP, once the undisputed force here, now risks fragmentation due to factionalism, corruption allegations, and poor grassroots discipline. In contrast, Jamaat and other Islamic parties, free from major internal rifts, are moving ahead with clarity and organisation.
Analysts warn that unless BNP reconciles its factions and projects a united front, it may lose ground in constituencies that were once its strongholds. For ordinary voters, who endured years of authoritarianism and are eager for change, the upcoming polls represent both an opportunity and a test: Will Kushtia's electoral voice strengthen democracy, or will disunity among the opposition squander the chance?
For now, as campaigning intensifies across Daulatpur, Mirpur, Veramara, Sadar, Kumarkhali, and Khoksa, Kushtia remains a vibrant political battleground - one that could significantly shape the balance of power in south-western Bangladesh.
