The ruling party Awami League is on track for a near-certain victory in 33 constituencies ahead of the 12th National Parliament elections, as no significant opposition candidates have emerged to challenge its nominees.
These constituencies primarily encompass held by ministers, state ministers, and influential party leaders, further solidifying the Awami League's dominance in these areas. The lack of viable contenders has resulted in an atmosphere of relaxed campaigning for Awami League candidates, confident in their unopposed path to victory.
With 33 constituencies practically unopposed, the party will enter the elections with a significant advantage, potentially impacting the overall composition of the next parliament.
In this list of those who are lucky to be free from worry are - General Secretary of Awami League and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader (Noakhali-5), senior leaders of Awami League Amir Hossain Amu (Jhalkathi-2) and Abul Hasanat Abdullah (Barisal-1).
Awami League joint general secretary and information minister Hashan Mahmud (Chattogram-7), Minister of Agriculture and Awami League presidium member Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak (Tangail-1), Law Minister Anisul Haque (Brahmanbaria-4), Local Government Rural Development and Cooperative Minister Md. Tajul Islam (Comilla-9), Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal (Cumilla-10), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's cousin Sheikh Helal Uddin (Bagerhat-1), Health Minister Zahid Malek (Manikganj-3), Lands Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury (Chattogram-13), Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan ( Panchagarh-2), Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Noor e Alam Chowdhury Liton (Madaripur-1), Shajahan Khan (Madaripur-2), Abdus Salam (Mymensingh-9), Industry State Minister Kamal Ahmed Majumdar (Dhaka 15), Deputy Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel (Chittagong-9), Awami League's Organizing Secretary Md. Afzal Hossain (Patuakhali-1), Salman Fazlur Rahman (Dhaka-1), Saber Hossain Chowdhury (Dhaka-9), Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan (Magura-1), Former President Abdul Hamid's son and current Member of Parliament Rezwan Ahmed Taufiq (Kishorganj-4), Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hasan Papon (Kishorganj-6), Awami League's late leader Abdur Razzak's son Nahim Razzak (Shariatpur-3), Ashek Ullah Rafiq ( Cox's Bazar-2), Ali Azam (Bhola-2), Md Mujibur Rahman (Bogra-5), Jannat Ara Henry (Sirajganj-2), Tanvir Shakeel Joy (Sirajganj-1), Ghulam Farooq Khandkar (Pabna-5), Imran Ahmed (Sylhet-4). Former education minister Nurul Islam Nahid's Sylhet-6 seat has no Awami League leader as an independent candidate, but heavyweight Trinamool BNP chairperson Shamser Mobin Chowdhury is competing there.
Similarly, Awami League does not have any independent candidate in Tangail-8 constituency. Anupam Shahjahan Joy is nominated by the party. Bangbir Quader Siddiqui of Krishak Sramik Janata League will contest against him in this constituency.
Apart from the above 33 constituencies, no Awami League leader has submitted the nomination form as an independent candidate in 1 more constituency. That is Narayanganj-5. The current Member of Parliament of this constituency is Salim Osman of the Jatiya Party. Salim Osman is the brother of Narayanganj-4 Member of Parliament Shamim Osman. Awami League has announced party nominations for the remaining 298 constituencies leaving Narayanganj-4 and Kushtia-2 vacant.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on December 11 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
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