LAXMIPUR, Jan 19: There is growing discontent among Jamaat leaders and workers in Laxmipur-1 (Ramganj) following the announcement of NCP leader Mahbub Alam as the 10-party alliance candidate for the constituency. The decision has reportedly sparked frustration among party cadres who have long supported Jamaat's local leaders.
For years, Nazmul Hasan Patwary, the upazila-level Jamaat Ameer, has been actively working in the constituency as Jamaat's prospective candidate. In addition, Zakir Hossain of Islami Andolan has also been organising at the grassroots level. BNP's candidate for the area is nationally recognised politician Shahadat Hossain Selim. Compared to them, Mahbub is a new face and has yet to build strong public support or gain credibility among voters. Local party workers fear that nominating Mahbub could result in the seat being lost, prompting calls for reconsideration from the grassroots leadership.
Party activists allege that Mahbub once participated in Chhatra Dal activities, and photos of his past continue to circulate on social media. His father, Azizur Rahman, is an elected general secretary of the Ichhapur Union BNP, and his brother, Mahfuz Alam, a media and broadcasting adviser, has made controversial remarks against Jamaat. "At this point, giving Mahbub the nomination through the Jamaat alliance feels like a betrayal. Even his own home votes are uncertain. We cannot accept this decision," one activist said.
They further stated that the Ramganj seat was built by their long-term efforts, and they have organised local voters meticulously for their candidate, Nazmul Hasan Patwary. "Suddenly someone else is entering our well-prepared ground. All our hard work may benefit another leader, and that is painful," they added.
Young voter Washi Uddin also criticised the nomination. "Just because there is an alliance, does that erase past records? Mahbub cannot even secure his own father's vote. He must declare his wealth, and he doesn't even have enough agents. He may have an alliance, but people remember his past actions. He will lose his deposit. I think he is making a deal with BNP leader Shahadat Hossain Selim so BNP can win," he said.
Jamaat worker Maulana Abdus Sattar said Patwary is a familiar figure in every ward and village of Ramganj, while Mahbub is unknown locally. "Our workers will not campaign for him. We want Nazmul Hasan to be the candidate," he added. Similarly, Upazila Jubo Division President Maulana Abu Saleh said, "Jamaat has been working in this area since independence. We have committees in every union, ward and neighborhood, while Mahbub has fewer than 500 supporters. We hope he will support Nazmul Hasan as the Jamaat candidate."
Ramganj Upazila Jamaat Secretary Adhyaksh Emran Hossain said the party has long organised the grassroots, with committed central and local committees, agents and cadres. "Frustration exists at the grassroots, but for the country's greater interest, we respect the NCP-led alliance. We are a disciplined organisation, and there is no scope to oppose alliance decisions," he added.
On the other hand, NCP Joint Convenor Mahbub Alam said the alliance has agreed to contest 30 seats, including Lakshmipur-1. "We expect full support from Jamaat. We hope no other candidate will stand in the seat. We aim to win and give the seat to the alliance," he stated.
Nazmul Hasan Patwary, Jamaat's aspirant for Lakshmipur-1, expressed his dissatisfaction: "We have worked long and hard at the grassroots, organising voters for our party. But now someone else is taking over our base, and the grassroots cannot accept it."
