Delwar Hossain seeks votes for Jamaat-led alliance, promises medical college hospital, EPZ and airport reopening

Thakurgaon Correspondent: With the Thakurgaon-1 by-election scheduled for October 29 approaching, the political contest has intensified, with leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance accusing the BNP of corruption, politicisation and electoral manipulation while pledging better healthcare, employment and infrastructure development if their candidate wins.

At an election rally organised by the alliance in support of the scales symbol at the Thakurgaon Government Boys` High School playground on Saturday morning, Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar, alliance candidate Delwar Hossain and other central and local leaders urged voters to support the candidate, promising a range of development initiatives for the constituency.

The promises included establishing a modern medical college hospital, setting up specialised hospitals for mothers and children, creating employment opportunities through an export processing zone (EPZ), reopening the closed airport and ensuring transparent recruitment in government jobs.

Addressing the rally as the chief guest, Golam Parwar alleged that substantial funds had previously been allocated for Thakurgaon`s development but ordinary people had not received the expected benefits. He claimed that BNP leaders had shared the development funds among themselves and warned that public money could again be misused if the party`s candidate was elected.

He urged voters to end what he described as prolonged political domination and ensure development by voting for the scales symbol on October 29.

Golam Parwar also expressed concern over the possibility of electoral irregularities, alleging that the BNP was conspiring to manipulate the by-election, similar to what he described as election engineering in the national election. He called on voters to remain vigilant at polling stations and monitor the counting process until the vote tally was properly established.

In a controversial remark, he suggested that the presiding officer of a polling station should be tied up if attempts were made to manipulate the results. Any allegation of electoral misconduct, however, should be addressed through lawful procedures and reported to the Election Commission and the relevant authorities.

The Jamaat leader also criticised BNP leaders for their statements against his party, alleging that the opposition was spreading misinformation to conceal its own past record. No response from the BNP to the allegations was included in the information provided about the rally.

Addressing the gathering, alliance candidate Delwar Hossain placed healthcare, employment and improved connectivity at the centre of his campaign, arguing that Thakurgaon`s residents had yet to experience the improvements they expected despite decades of political representation.

He said that many people still had to travel to Rangpur and Dinajpur for advanced medical treatment, placing a heavy financial burden on families. According to him, some families were compelled to sell livestock or land to cover medical expenses.

If elected, he pledged to establish a modern medical college hospital in Thakurgaon, set up separate mother-and-child hospitals in Ruhia and Bhulli, and introduce community clinics in every union.

He said these initiatives would help people access healthcare closer to home and reduce the need for expensive journeys to other districts for treatment.

On employment, Delwar promised to establish an export processing zone in Thakurgaon to attract investment and create jobs. He also pledged to reopen the closed airport, improve communications infrastructure and transform the district into an economic zone.

The candidate further promised to ensure the full operation of Thakurgaon University and the engineering college, while pledging merit-based recruitment in public service.

He said there would be no political favouritism in government appointments and that employment opportunities should be determined by qualifications rather than party affiliation.

Delwar also pledged a firm stance against drugs, terrorism and extortion, saying that traders would not have to pay protection money if he were elected.

He promised to work towards making Thakurgaon a peaceful district free from drugs and violence.

The candidate alleged that drugs had not been eliminated from the district despite seven months of BNP government and questioned the roles of BNP candidates and leaders. However, independently verified evidence supporting these allegations was not provided in the information about the rally.

He also pledged equal rights, security and access to public services for people of all religious communities, stressing that every citizen should enjoy equal opportunities regardless of religion or background.

On financial accountability, Delwar promised to make development allocations and expenditures public. He said residents would be informed about the amount of money received for projects and how it had been spent.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and 11-party alliance coordinator Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad told the rally that development did not necessarily depend on whether an MP belonged to the ruling party or the opposition. Rather, he said, honest and competent leadership was the key to progress.

Claiming that he had undertaken development activities in his own area while serving as an opposition MP, he urged voters not to be swayed solely by emotion or campaign promises but to assess candidates on the basis of integrity and competence.

Another Jamaat Assistant Secretary General, Maulana Abdul Halim, raised allegations against the BNP candidate, referring to past political positions, legal cases and corruption. The information provided about the rally did not include responses from the people concerned.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah Sibga criticised the BNP`s election pledges, alleging a gap between the party`s promises before assuming power and its actions afterwards. He called on voters to help prevent corruption, plundering and political favouritism.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Organising Secretary Maulana Enamul Haque Musa criticised the BNP government over the implementation of the referendum verdict and the July Charter.

JAGPA Vice-President Engineer Rashed Pradhan stressed the need to oppose dynastic politics and establish people`s rights.

Dhaka University Central Students` Union Vice-President Sadik Kayem also sought votes for Delwar Hossain, highlighting the need to combat corruption, drugs, violence and extortion. He warned that attempts to manipulate the election could further complicate the political situation.

With polling day approaching, leaders of the 11-party alliance urged voters to turn out in large numbers, remain present at polling centres and monitor the voting and counting processes to ensure transparency.

The rally placed electoral integrity alongside healthcare, employment, infrastructure development, corruption control and public safety as key issues in the constituency.

However, the allegations made against rival political figures remain claims by the speakers and require independent verification. The BNP`s response to the accusations was not available in the information provided. Ensuring a peaceful electoral environment, impartial administration and transparent vote counting will be important responsibilities for the Election Commission and other relevant authorities.

For voters in Thakurgaon-1, the central question is whether the competing political promises can translate into tangible improvements in everyday life. Access to affordable healthcare, jobs for young people, better transport links, protection from extortion and accountable use of public funds are likely to remain important considerations as voters decide whom to support.

The by-election result on October 29 will determine whether voters place their confidence in Delwar Hossain and the 11-party alliance`s development pledges or choose an alternative political direction.

The rally was presided over by Professor Belal Uddin Pradhan, Jamaat`s Thakurgaon district ameer, and conducted by district Jamaat secretary Mohammad Alamgir. Central and local leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, JAGPA and other alliance partners also addressed the gathering.