BSS, Chittagong
The hustling for next week’s parliamentary polls has gained momentum in the five constituencies of south Chittagong. The candidates, their active supporters and even relatives have virtually no time for rest and sleep as they have been putting in maximum efforts by utilizing properly the time left for campaigning.
Nominees of major parties seem on a nerve-breaking polls race by engaging all legal modes of campaign, sometimes even promising lofty hopes if they win, to mobilize support of general voters in their favour. Candidates and apparently neutral people said peaceful atmosphere and cordial relations between candidates of rival parties have encouraged a large number of people in being involved with election activities.
The five parliamentary constituencies under south Chittagong are Chittagong-11 (Patiya), Chittagong-12 (Anowara and Karnaphuli), Chittagong-13 (Chandanaish and part of Satkania), Chittagong-14 (Satkania and Lohagara) and Chittagong-15 (Banshkhali).
The number of total of voters is 11,5,5305 including 6,88,621 females in the five constituencies where 29 candidates are competing. South Chittagong area has been considered as a stronghold of the four- party alliance as its nominees won all the five seats in 2001 and most seats in 1996 and 1991.
Political observers have said that quitting of once influential BNP stalwart Col (retd) Dr Oli Ahmed from the party has brought a significant change in the political demography of the region, which already poses a big threat to the BNP monopoly over the area.
On the other hand, they said, Oli Ahmed, who never suffered defeat in parliamentary elections from Chittagong-13 as a BNP candidate since 1979, is heading for a tough battle this time. Many believe that his chance of winning from both Chittagong- 13 and Chittagong-14 constituencies is hanging in the balance as his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has not been included in the Mohajote and he may not get the votes of a large number of BNP supporters this year.
Industrialist Eng. Afsaruddin Ahmed who is contesting from Chittagong-13 as a Mohajote candidate with the symbol “boat” who lost to Oli with a narrow margin of votes in 2001 election has already brightened his chance of winning this time following a changed political equation. Advocate Mizanul Haq Chowdhury who is vying from the area as the 4-party nominee has been considered a major obstacle to Oli’s success.
On the other hand, Oil Ahmed is also facing a tough resistance from Jamaat leader Moulana Shamsul Islam who is competing from Chittagong-14 constituency (Satkania-Lohagara) with the symbol “scale” as the area is known as a stronghold of Jamaat-Shibir. Col. (retd) Oli Ahmed won the election from the constituency in 1996 while recently convicted Jamaat leader won the JS seat in 1991 and 2001 polls.
Advocate AKM Serajul Islam is running from the area as Mohajote candidate while dissident AL leader and industrialist Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury joined the poll race as an independent candidate following a High Court order
Courtesy: thebangladeshtoday.com
