In Mymensingh-3 Gouripur, two candidates have joined forces to call for 'rice grain voting'

Engineer M Iqbal Hossain, the nominated candidate of BNP in Mymensingh-3 (Gouripur) constituency and Hafez Azizul Haque, the member secretary of upazila BNP who was deprived of nomination, have announced to work together for the victory of rice grains. In an exchange meeting with upazila and municipal BNP leaders at his office in Kaltapara last Tuesday night, Hafez Azizul Haque said, “Even if I don't get nominated for this seat, I will work for the symbol of the grain of rice. I have shed blood on the streets, I have been shot at. But Tariq Rahman is our guardian – his guidance is final for us. We are not individuals, we will work unitedly to win the grain of rice.”

Upazila BNP leaders and activists from different levels were present in the meeting. Notable among them are municipal BNP convener Ali Akbar Anich, joint convener Shahjahan Kabir Hira, upazila BNP joint convener S. M. Dulal, Sirajul Islam Fakir, Ariful Haque Ahad, Union BNP General Secretary M. A. Hannan Sarkar, BNP leader Mazharul Islam Chowdhury, Abdul Mannan Mandal, North District Jubo Dal leader Usman Gani Tanna, Douhakhla volunteer group convener Khurram Khan and Upazila Jasas general secretary Emdadul Haque Khokon and others.

The party's general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the name of Central Executive Committee member Engineer M Iqbal Hossain from the list of potential candidates of BNP in the 13th National Assembly elections. Ahmed Taybur Rahman Hiran, Advocate Nurul Haque and Hafeez Azizul Haque were among those deprived of nomination. After the announcement of nomination, Ahmed Taybur Rahman pro-Hiran leaders and activists held a protest program including blocking railways and roads. However, in this recent meeting, Hafez Azizul Haque's announcement has given a new message of unity in BNP's local politics, local leaders and activists believe.

In Mymensingh-3 constituencies consisting of Gouripur Upazila, total voters are 2 lakh 94 thousand 608, of which 1 lakh 48 thousand 469 are male and 1 lakh 46 thousand 139 are female. 92 centers and 538 booths have been prepared for the election.

BNP candidate Engineer M Iqbal Hossain is competing in this seat – Maulana Md. Badruzzaman (Jamaate-e-Islami), Md. Nazrul Islam (Zaker Party), Harun Al Bari (CPB), Alhaj Md. Fazlur Rahman (Khelafat Majlis), Mufti Nazim Uddin (Zamiyate Ulamae Islam Bangladesh) and Md. Ayub Ali Noorani (Islamic Movement Bangladesh).

Political analysts feel that the announcement of the alliance between the two nominated and un-nominated candidates of BNP can play a positive role in mitigating the internal conflicts of the party in Gouripur. This message of unity around the party symbol 'grain of rice' can give new momentum to BNP in the upcoming elections.