13th National Parliament Elections: Narail District

Narail district has traditionally been regarded as an Awami League stronghold, a pattern reflected in the results of most relatively credible national elections held in the country, with the exception of the last three. However, the electoral scenario in Narail has shifted in the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections due to the absence of the Awami League. As a result, the contest in the district is expected to be mainly between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Below is an overview of the two parliamentary constituencies in Narail district.

Narail-1 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 93): Narail-1 constituency comprises Kalia Upazila and the Kalora, Bichali, Bhadrobila, Singasholpur and Sheikhhati unions.

Candidates: A total of eight candidates are contesting the seat in the upcoming election. They are S M Sajjad Hossain as an independent candidate (football), Ujjal Molla as an independent candidate (deer), Bishwas Jahangir Alam of BNP (sheaf of paddy), Md Obaidullah of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (scales), B M Nagib Hossain as an independent candidate (pitcher), Abdul Aziz of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (hand fan), Md Milton Molla of the Jatiya Party (plough), and Sukesh Saha Ananda as an independent candidate (horse).

Elected MPs: In 1991 and 1996, Dhirendra Nath Saha of the Awami League was elected from this seat. In 2001, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina won the constituency. In the 2002 by-election, Dhirendra Nath Saha was elected as a BNP candidate. In 2008, independent candidate Kabirul Haque was elected as a Member of Parliament.

Narail-2 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 94): Narail-2 constituency comprises Lohagara Upazila and Narail Sadar Upazila, excluding the Kalora, Bichali, Bhadrobila, Singasholpur and Sheikhhati unions.

Candidates: Eight candidates are contesting this seat in the upcoming election. They are Mst Farida Yasmin as an independent candidate (ship), Md Ataur Rahman of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (scales), A Z M Fariduzzaman of BNP (sheaf of paddy), Md Tajul Islam of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (hand fan), Md Shoaib Ali of Bangladesh Cultural Liberation Alliance (Muktijot) (stick), Khandaker Fayekuzzaman of the Jatiya Party (plough), Md Nur Islam of Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) (truck), and Md Monirul Islam as an independent candidate (pitcher).

Elected MPs: In 1991 and 1996, Sharif Khasruzzaman of the Awami League was elected from this seat. In 2001, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina won the constituency. In the 2002 by-election, Shahidul Islam of the Islami Oikya Jote was elected. In 2008, S K Abu Bakar of the Awami League was elected as a Member of Parliament.