Desk News: After the death of Chittagong-8 (Chandgaon-Boalkhali) Constituency Member of Parliament late Moshalem Uddin Ahmed, the names of several candidates of Awami League are being heard in the by-election of this constituency. According to the decision of the Election Commission, by-elections will be held in this seat within the next three months.
On December 30, 2018, in the 11th National Parliament Elections, Mainuddin Khan Badal, president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Jasder faction, was elected as a Member of Parliament for the third time from Chittagong-8 Constituency. But he could not serve for long.
After just 1 year, he died on November 16, 2019 at 5:30 am while undergoing treatment at the Narayan Heart Institute in Bangalore, India. On January 13, 2020, Chittagong South District Awami League President Moshalem Uddin Ahmad was elected as a Member of Parliament for the first time on the nomination of Awami League in the by-election of Chittagong-8 Constituency.
He died at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at 12:30 pm on February 5 after serving as a Member of Parliament for 3 years. By-elections will be held in this seat again within the next three months. Several candidates of Awami League are heard around this by-election.
Among them are former vice president of Chittagong South District Awami League of Chittagong Metropolitan Awami League and former ambassador to Kuwait SM Abul Kalam, treasurer and former chairman of Chittagong Development Authority Abduch Chalam, general secretary of Chittagong Metropolitan Awami League and former mayor AJM Nashir. Uddin, Barrister Monowar Hossain and former BNF MP Abul Kalam Azad. However, the honest and worthy candidate is the former Vice-President of Chittagong South District Awami League and former Ambassador of Kuwait SM Abul Kalam.
Regarding the nomination in the by-election, the general secretary of the city Awami League A.J.M. Nashir Uddin said, nomination is being given – about the party. Chittagong-8 seats have the highest number of votes in the urban part (Chandgaon-Mohra-Panchlaish). I am the general secretary of the city Awami League and a former mayor, if the party considers it, then I will be elected. I have done a lot of development in the urban part of this constituency when I was mayor. I have participated in various political-social-religious and sports programs from every unit of the area to ward-para-mahalla.
It was once called the seat of Boalkhali but now it is no more. A union in Boalkhali has moved to the Rangunia parliamentary seat. Chittagong-8 with a large part of the city Chandgaon-Mohra-Panchlaish-Mohammadpur. Now if Hon’ble Prime Minister takes everything into consideration and nominates me then I will choose.
Former Vice President of Chittagong South District Awami League and former Ambassador of Kuwait SM Abul Kalam said, “This is my seat.” I will elect from this seat. I claim this seat. Now that Awami League is in power, many will want nomination. I sought nomination in 2008. Then the Prime Minister told me, ‘I will promote you to another place.’ Later he made me an ambassador. I was in Kuwait during the 2018 elections.
I could not ask for nominations from there. I was elected from this seat in 1986 and 2001 on party nomination. In 2001, I lost by a margin of 20,000 votes. I have been in the happiness and sorrow of the people of this constituency all my life. I am a child of this area. I was with the leaders and activists in this area during the party’s troubles. Now by-elections will be held. I will seek nomination for this seat.
Meanwhile, Barrister Monowar Hossain, chairman of Chittagong Citizens Forum, said that he will seek nomination from Chittagong-8 constituency.
He said, my home is Boalkhali, the city’s home is Panchlaish. I am a citizen of this parliamentary seat on both sides. From my school life, I was always active in the movement and struggle for the civil rights of the people of Chittagong including Boalkhali, Panchlaish-Chandgaon. Now needs to change with time. People’s civil rights should be increased. This requires a mindset to work.
People of this region have many civic demands including Kalurghat Bridge. Eligible candidates are required to fill these. If elected, I will ensure civic amenities in this area. I also sought nomination in the mayoral election. No nomination from the party. So I did not choose. Now I will seek nomination in the by-election.
Apart from the Awami League candidate, former BNF MP Abul Kalam Azad wants to become a member of parliament with the Awami League boat in this seat. The prime minister gave me one chance. I have become an MP. Now since the by-election will be held in my area (Boalkhali) – I will meet the honorable Prime Minister and ask for nomination. If necessary, if I am asked to choose a boat, I will choose a boat without a party.
It should be noted that Chittagong-8 Constituency consists of Ward No. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Chittagong City Corporation and Kadhurkhil, Paschim Gomdandi, Purva Gomdandi, Shakpura, Sarwatali, Popadia, Charandwip, Amuchia and Ahlladenga Union of Boalkhali Upazila. Total voters in this constituency are 4 lakh 75 thousand 998 people. Among them, 2 lakh 41 thousand 922 male voters and 2 lakh 34 thousand 74 female voters. The number of voters in Boalkhali upazila is 1 lakh 64 thousand.
