13th National Parliamentary Election: Rajbari District

In Rajbari District, the electoral contest between Awami League and BNP has historically been almost equal. In previous national elections (except the last three), a similar pattern was observed. However, with Awami League not participating in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, the voting scenario in Rajbari has changed. This time, the main contest will be between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Let’s take a look at the two constituencies of Rajbari District.

Rajbari-1 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 209): Rajbari-1 constituency comprises Rajbari Sadar Upazila and Goalanda Upazila. Total voters: 430,216 (216,150 male, 214,058 female, 8 hijra).

Candidates: Four candidates are contesting: Mohammad Ali Biswas of Jaker Party (rose), Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayem of BNP (sheaf of paddy), Md. Nurul Islam of Jamaat-e-Islami (balance scale), and Khondkar Habibur Rahman of Jatiya Party (plough).

Past MPs: 1991 – Abdul Wazed Chowdhury (Awami League); June 1996 – Kazi Keramat Ali (Awami League); 2001 – Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayem (BNP); 2008 – Kazi Keramat Ali (Awami League).

Rajbari-2 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 210): Rajbari-2 constituency comprises Pangsha Upazila, Kalukhali Upazila, and Baliakandi Upazila. Total voters: 559,696 (285,544 male, 274,146 female, 6 hijra).

Candidates: Nine candidates are contesting: Sohel Molla (football) – independent, Zahid Sheikh of Gono Odhikar Parishad (truck), Kazi Minhajul Alam of Khelafat Majlis (wall clock), Md. Nasirul Haque Sabu (water jug) – independent, Md. Abdul Malek Mondol of Bangladesh Cultural Muktijote (cane), Jamil Hijazi of National Citizens Party-NCP (shapla flower), Md. Harun-ur-Rashid of BNP (sheaf of paddy), Md. Shafiul Azam Khan of Jatiya Party (plough), and Md. Abdul Malek of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (hand fan).

Past MPs: 1991 – AKM Asjad (Jamaat-e-Islami); February 1996 – Khondkar Chadrul Amin Habib (BNP); June 1996 – Zillul Hakim (Awami League); 2001 – Nasirul Haque Sabu (BNP).