Cumilla-4 constituency has come under considerable discussion due to Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiya, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. Rumours spread that he would contest from this constituency. For political reasons, BNP leaders and activists as well as Asif Mahmud’s supporters have carried out counter-programmes. However, Asif Mahmud recently told newspersons that he intends to contest from a constituency in Dhaka.
BNP has nominated Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad as its candidate here. Kaykobad has contested six national parliamentary elections so far, winning five times. He was last elected as a member of parliament in 2008. Currently, party leaders and activists believe he has no strong rival in the Cumilla-3 constituency.
Here, Jamaat’s candidate is Yusuf Hakim Sohel, former vice chairman of Muradnagar Upazila Parishad. This member of the north district Jamaat working committee is actively campaigning across the constituency, regularly attending various rallies, meetings, and gatherings. Maulana Ahmad Abdul Qayyum, the candidate of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, is also active in the constituency.
Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad told Prothom Alo, “The people have been unable to vote for the past 18 years. Now they want to reclaim their voting rights. The sooner this election takes place, the better it will be for the country and for democracy.”