11th National Parliamentary election: AL, BNP candidates active for Sylhet-1 Constituency

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S.A Shofiee, Sylhet :
Despite preparations for the upcoming 11th general election kicking into full-gear across the country, the Awami League and BNP have yet to give green signal their candidates for the Sylhet 1 (sadar and city corporation) constituencies. They are active in the constituency.
The incumbent lawmaker of this seat, senior Awami League leader and Finance Minister AMA Muhith announced earlier that due to health complications, he will not contest in the next election. The ruling party is yet to determine a candidate to contest in this constituency.
Dr Farashuddin and Sohul Hossain who are seeking nomination from Awami League, and Zubaida Rahman, Khandokar Muktadir and Dr Shahriar Hossain Chowdhury from BNP in Sylhet 1 constituency Collected Awami League is reportedly considering Dr Farashuddin, Sohul Hossain, and Dr AK Abdul Momen as candidates for this constituency
Meanwhile, the BNP also has yet to decide on a candidate for Sylhet 1. There are rumour that Zubaida Rahman, the wife of acting BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, could be nominated by the party-to participate in the polls.
On September 11 last year, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said that his brother Dr AK Abdul Momen is a viable candidate for the Sylhet -1 constituency, if the Awami League give him ticket .
Former ambassador Dr AK Abdul Momen serves as Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York. AK Momen also has a big number of fans and supporters in the area.
Dr Momen’s supporters arranging several meetings for his election campaign and in the meantime he has earned popularity in the area as a dynamic leader who has international and national name and fame .
He said he will work for the man who gets nomination from Sheikh Hasina.
Along with Momen, Awami League central Organising Secretary Misbahuddin Siraj, Bangabandhu’s personal secretary and former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Farashuddin, and former election commission Sohul Hossain are also vying for the nomination.
As for possible BNP candidates, the party chairperson’s Advisor Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and senior party leader Dr Shahriar Hossain Chowdhury are being discussed by the rumour mill.
A senior local BNP leader said, ‘There is a strong possibility that a member of the Khaleda Zia’s family will be nominated as the party candidate for Sylhet-1 constituency in the upcoming election.
‘The party favours acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman as its candidate. Zubaida’s father, former shipping minister and Bangladesh Navy rear admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, has a good image in this region. She has a better chance of winning the election.’
Meanwhile, a senior local Awami League leader, on condition of anonymity said: ‘The ruling candidate suffered a crushing defeat in the recent Sylhet City Corporation Polls, so the Awami League is formulating a strategy before naming an aspirant.
‘Former Bangladesh Bank governor Farashuddin, former election commissioner Sohul Hossain, AMA Muhith’s younger brother Dr AK Abdul Momen, and Advocate Misbah Uddin Siraj are among the eligible candidates.’
The ruling party leader added that the party President Sheikh Hasina’s decision will be considered final in this regard.
The political parties consider Sylhet 1 a crucial seat, and will make a serious effort to nominate a candidate who can snatch victory in the 11th general polls.
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