M Rahman Ranju, Kurigram: The first phase of municipal elections in the country will be held on December 28 in Kurigram municipality. With the Kurigram municipality election looming, strong lobbying is going on among the mayoral candidates. Potential candidates from the two main parties, the Awami League and the BNP, are running door-to-door with supporters of the leaders and workers. The race is going on till the center. Anxiety is running high among political parties and ordinary voters about announcing the schedule. There is a lot of speculation about who will be the candidate of the two main parties. At the same time, there are internal conflicts and groupings between the two main parties. As a result, speculation is going on about which group`s candidate is getting nominated. The counting of votes is going on considering the candidates. This discussion and criticism is everywhere from tea shops to offices.
District Election Officer and Returning Officer Jahangir Alam Rakib said the public notification regarding the election was issued on Monday. The last date for submission of nomination papers is 1st December, selection of nomination papers is 3rd December, last date for withdrawal of candidature is 10th December and voting is on 28th December from 8 am to 4 pm
He added that out of the total number of 56,395 voters in Kurigram municipality, 29,048 are female voters and 27,347 are male voters. There are 1,701 more female voters than male voters. Voting will be held through 24 polling stations in 9 wards.
Potential Awami League candidates are current mayor Abdul Jalil, former municipal chairman Kaziul Islam, municipal Awami League leader Alhaj Mostafizur Rahman Saju, district Shilpakala Academy general secretary Rasheduzzaman Babu, district motor owner group general secretary Lutfar Rahman Bakshi and district youth league joint convener Mominur Rahman. Mumin continues to try to get party nominations. Potential BNP candidates are Abu Bakar Siddique, senior vice-president and former mayor of the district BNP, Prof Shafiqul Islam Bebu, vice-president of the district BNP, Mohiuddin Jahangir Biplob, general secretary of the municipal BNP and Jobayer Hossain Himel, general secretary of the district Chhatra Dal. Ran forward.
Awami League potential candidate Alhaj Mostafizur Rahman Saju said, "I have a clean image." I am in charge of the Joint General Secretary of Kurigram Municipal Awami League. Earlier I was the general secretary of 9th ward Awami League. I have been working with helpless people for a long time. My faith team will win the highest vote by nominating me.
Former municipal chairman Kaziul Islam, a potential Awami League candidate, considers himself the most deserving as the party`s candidate. He has been actively serving as the General Secretary of the Municipal Awami League since 2011. At this time the team has been well organized. He had a wide participation in public welfare work. He was also active in promoting development work undertaken by the government.
Abdul Jalil, a potential Awami League candidate and current mayor, said the municipality was occupied by the BNP. After a long time, after winning the last election with the boat brand, I have presented this municipality to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Even before that the local Awami League did not nominate me. The Central Awami League nominated me considering its popularity. I have been able to keep that honor. Inshallah, I will be able to maintain that status by nominating again.
Rasheduzzaman Babu, general secretary of the district Shilpakala Academy, said, "I have been working for the party since the anti-Ershad movement." Apart from this, I am working as a dedicated soul in the society through art and culture and social and voluntary organizations. I am working for the welfare of the people irrespective of party affiliation and to accelerate the continuous development of the government. I hope it will be possible to snatch the victory if the party nominates considering these considerations.
Lutfar Rahman Bakshi, general secretary of the district motor owner group, said he has been working for a long time from the party`s advisory committee. I am working for the welfare of the people in the development of communication system. Even if I don`t nominate locally, I will ask for nomination from the center. I will collect the party nomination papers today and tomorrow.
Shafiqul Islam Bebu, a BNP nominee, said he has been involved in BNP politics for 38 years. I led the student group when I was a student of Dhaka University. I have led the Kurigram Municipal BNP for 14 years as the General Secretary. At present, I am organizing the politics of BNP in Kurigram municipal area under the charge of vice-president of Kurigram district BNP. With this in mind, if the party nominates me for the post of mayor, I will win, God willing. He is also well k