SINGRA, NATORE, Dec 8: The electoral field in Natore-3 (Singra) has taken an interesting turn as three retired teachers from three different parties have been selected to contest in the upcoming polls.
BNP has finally announced its candidate-District BNP Member Principal Anwarul Islam Anu, who heads the prestigious Singra Damdama Pilot School and College. Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami nominated Professor Md Saidur Rahman, former head of the Mathematics Department at Nawab Siraj-ud-Doula Government College, Natore. Meanwhile, the newly formed NCP has nominated Professor SM Jargis Kadir Babu, retired principal of Rajshahi New Government Degree College and District Member Secretary of the party.
This makes Singra the only constituency in the district where BNP, Jamaat, and NCP have all nominated respected teachers. Their candidacies have energised the electorate of 308,794 voters in the Chalan Beel region, with campaign activities already visible across villages and towns.
Historically, Singra has been a BNP stronghold. Except for Junaid Ahmed Palak, no Awami League candidate has ever won here. In 1991, Jamaat's Abu Bakar Sherkoli was elected MP. After his death in 1995, BNP's Professor Kazi Golam Morshed won the by-election and went on to secure three consecutive victories in 1996 and 2001. In 2018, BNP nominated both Anwarul Islam Anu and District Joint Secretary Daudar Mahmud.
Anu, a former joint secretary of Rajshahi University Chatra Dal, twice contested student union elections under the Rizvi-Harun panel. He has long served as Convenor of Singra BNP and is currently President of the Bangladesh Teachers' Association in Singra and Natore. His clean image and acceptance among teachers and civil society have strengthened his candidacy. Although critics point to his family ties with former state minister Junaid Ahmed Palak-Anu is Palak's uncle-in-law-voters largely dismiss this as irrelevant, noting that his nomination is based on merit.
Jamaat's candidate Saidur Rahman, a member of the District Shura and working committee, began his career at Rajshahi Cadet College before joining the education cadre through the 9th BCS. With 27 years of service in government colleges, he enjoys considerable respect locally.
NCP's candidate Jargis Kadir Babu is known as a powerful speaker whose words captivate audiences. He and his supporters are campaigning vigorously across the constituency.
Observers believe the main contest will likely be between the BNP and Jamaat candidates, though many voters welcome the competition among three distinguished educators as a positive development.
District BNP Convenor Rahim Newaz said: "Singra is a BNP stronghold. Except for rigged elections, BNP has usually won here. We are confident of victory again."
District Jamaat chief Professor Dr Mir Md Nurul Islam, said, "Professor Saidur Rahman is honest, capable, and modern. Voters will value him accordingly."
