Notable Defeats in Second Phase of Sixth Upazila Parishad Election: Key Candidates and Outcomes

Several key ministerial candidates experienced notable defeats in the second phase of the Sixth Upazila Parishad election in Bangladesh, with significant losses occurring in Cumilla and Gopalganj. The outcomes of these elections have highlighted internal party dynamics and voter dissatisfaction with local governance.

Cumilla Sadar South Upazila:

In Cumilla Sadar South Upazila, Golam Sarwar, the younger brother of former Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, finished third in the race for chairman. Despite his prominent position as President of the Upazila Awami League and Vice President of the Cumilla South District Awami League, Sarwar's previous success of three consecutive terms as upazila chairman did not translate into victory this time. He garnered 14,314 votes, trailing behind Abdul Hai Bablu, the organizational secretary of Cumilla Metropolitan Awami League, who won with 20,863 votes, and independent candidate Mohammad Aktaruzzaman Ripon, who secured 14,790 votes.

Local sources attributed Sarwar's defeat to several factors:

• Family Disunity: Internal family conflicts were seen as a significant reason for his loss.
• Arrogance and Lack of Appreciation: There was a perception that Sarwar had become disconnected from party workers and displayed arrogance.
• Development Issues: Dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of development in Nangalkot, Lalmai, and Sadar South upazilas also played a role.

Muksudpur Upazila, Gopalganj:

In Gopalganj's Muksudpur Upazila, Abul Kashem Raj, the candidate backed by the daughter of Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Lt. Colonel (retd.) Farooq Khan, also finished third. Raj received 28,542 votes. Kabir Khan won the chairman post with 54,554 votes, and MM Mohiuddin Ahmed secured 42,811 votes. Despite active campaigning by Farooq Khan's daughter, Kantara Khan, Raj could not secure a winning position.

Other Notable Defeats:

1. Shariatpur Sadar: Billal Hossain Dipu Mia, cousin of MP Iqbal Hossain Apu, faced defeat.
2. Gaibandha Sadar Upazila: The candidate supported by MP Shah Sarwar Kabir lost the election.
3. Louhajang Upazila, Munshiganj: Abdur Rashid Shikder, the General Secretary of Upazila Awami League, defeated the candidate supported by MP Sagufta Yasmin Emily.

Former MP Defeated:

Zafar Alam, who was elected Member of Parliament (MP) from Cox's Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency in the 11th parliamentary election, faced defeat in the 12th parliamentary elections to Bangladesh Welfare Party Chairman Major General (Retd.) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim. This time, Alam contested the upazila parishad election in Chakaria Upazila of Cox's Bazar and lost again in the second phase.

BNP's Victory in Nabiganj Upazila:

In Nabiganj Upazila, expelled BNP leader Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Chefu won the chairman post by defeating five leaders from the district and upazila levels of the Awami League. Chefu received 25,159 votes, while the current chairman and former convener of Upazila Jubo League, Fazlul Haque Chowdhury Salim, received 21,751 votes. Other notable candidates, including district Awami League organizing secretaries and former upazila leaders, also faced defeat.

Analysis:

The outcomes of these elections reflect various underlying issues within the political landscape:

• Internal Party Conflicts: Family disunity and internal party conflicts significantly influenced voter decisions.
• Dissatisfaction with Development: Voter dissatisfaction with local development efforts played a crucial role in the defeat of several candidates.
• Campaign Dynamics: Active campaigning by influential political figures did not always translate into electoral success, indicating a possible disconnect between party leadership and grassroots support.

Conclusion:

The second phase of the Sixth Upazila Parishad election in Bangladesh has underscored the complex dynamics of local politics, where internal party issues, voter dissatisfaction, and effective campaigning strategies are critical factors influencing outcomes. These elections serve as a reminder of the importance of addressing local concerns and maintaining cohesive party structures to achieve electoral success.

FAQs:

1. What were the main factors contributing to the defeat of Golam Sarwar in Cumilla Sadar South Upazila? Golam Sarwar's defeat was attributed to family disunity, a perceived lack of appreciation for party workers, arrogance, and dissatisfaction with local development efforts.

2. How did the involvement of Minister Farooq Khan's daughter impact the election in Muksudpur Upazila, Gopalganj? Despite active campaigning by Minister Farooq Khan's daughter, Abul Kashem Raj finished third in the election, indicating that personal involvement of political figures does not always guarantee success.

3. What does the victory of Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Chefu in Nabiganj Upazila indicate about the current political climate? Chefu's victory over multiple Awami League leaders highlights possible dissatisfaction with the ruling party and suggests that expelled or independent candidates can still command significant support under certain conditions.