Published : 24 Dec 2025, 07:36 AM
Updated : 28 Aug 2026, 01:31 AM
Mymensingh, one of Bangladesh’s most seat-rich districts, is shaping up to be a paradox in the Feb 12 general election as it is overwhelmingly dominated by the BNP, yet riddled with internal rifts that could hand unexpected openings to rivals, particularly the Jamaat-e-Islami.
Of the district’s 11 parliamentary seats, the BNP has announced candidates in 10, leaving one vacant to avoid further infighting. In six constituencies, BNP nominees face little internal resistance. In the remaining four, unresolved factional disputes have created the risk of BNP-backed independents cutting into the party’s own vote.
With the Awami League barred from active politics and the Jatiya Party largely absent, the contest has narrowed into a BNP-versus-Jamaat race, one in which Jamaat is working aggressively to capitalise on BNP disunity.
MYMENSINGH-2: CAN TWO UPAZILAS VOTE AS ONE?
In Mymensingh-2 (Phulpur–Tarakanda), BNP has nominated Motahar Hossain Talukder, former Tarakanda Upazila chairman and a north district BNP joint convenor.
But the nomination has triggered backlash from supporters of Abul Bashar Akanda, a former MP and the party's peasant front Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal leader, who was denied the ticket. His backers are openly campaigning for a change and floating the idea of an independent run.
The tension is sharpened by geography: Bashar hails from Phulpur, Motahar from Tarakanda. Local leaders fear voters could split along Upazila lines.
Bashar argues the nominee lacks grassroots acceptance, warning that “the paddy sheaf will not win here” without a change. Motahar counters that his years of activism and imprisonment have earned him the party’s trust and that voters will “reject conspiracies through the ballot”.
Jamaat candidate Anwar Hasan Sujan says BNP infighting is driving voters towards “order and change”.
Total voters: 569,892.
MYMENSINGH-3: EXPELLED LEADER, INDEPENDENT PATH
In Mymensingh-3 (Gauripur), BNP’s nomination of M Iqbal Hossain has ignited violent protests by supporters of former Upazila chairman Ahmed Tayebur Rahman Hiron, who was later expelled from the party along with five others.
Clashes included road and rail blockades and one activist died of a heart attack during unrest. Hiron’s supporters now openly discuss an independent candidacy.
Hiron claims his supporters were attacked first and says voters resent his expulsion. Iqbal insists the party chose him because he is “tested”, urging rivals to fall in line.
The Jamaat has nominated Maulana Badrul Zaman, while Ashraful Islam Selim Bala is contesting from the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Voters: 294,608.
MYMENSINGH-6: JAMAAT’S OPPORTUNITY SEAT
BNP’s nominee in Mymensingh-6 (Phulbaria) is Akhtarul Alam Faruk, but denial of the ticket to Abdul Karim Sarker has sparked sustained protests.
The BNP has not won this seat since 1991, making it a rare opening but one that could collapse under internal discord. Jamaat’s Kamrul Hasan Milon, the party’s district Nayeb-e-Amir, has a long-established base here.
Faruk downplays the split, while Sarker’s supporters accuse the party of sidelining a leader who “held the streets” during BNP’s hardest years.
Voters: 412,843.
MYMENSINGH-9: BNP VS BNP
In Mymensingh-9 (Nandail), the BNP has nominated Yasir Khan Chowdhury, son of late MP Anwarul Hossain Khan Chowdhury. But the party is fractured into at least five factions.
Opposition comes from within the family, cousin Naser Khan Chowdhury, and from heavyweight aspirants including retired major general Anwarul Momen and ex-brigadier AKM Shamsul Islam Shams.
Major general Momen says the nominee has “zero popularity”, warning that only a consensus candidate can prevent defeat.
The Jamaat has yet to name a candidate, fuelling speculation it may back another Islamist-aligned figure.
Voters: 380,324.
MYMENSINGH-10: BNP OR ALLIANCE CANDIDATE?
In Mymensingh-10 (Gafargaon), the BNP has yet to announce a candidate despite repeated rounds. At least five BNP aspirants are in the race, while alliance partners Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam and the LDP are both demanding the seat.
Potential contenders include AB Siddiqur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahman, Mofakkharul Islam Rana, Akhtaruzzaman Bacchu, and Alamgir Mahmud Alam.
The Jamaat has fielded Maulana Ismail Hossain Sohel.
Voters: 452,066.
SEATS WITH RELATIVE CALM
In Mymensingh-1, BNP heavyweight Syed Emran Saleh Prince faces limited dissent as the campaign advances. The Jamaat has nominated Mahfuzur Rahman.
In Mymensingh-4, BNP’s Abu Wahab Akand Wahid is up against Jamaat’s Kamrul Ahsan Emrul, with CPB leader Advocate Emdadul Haque Millat also active.
In Mymensingh-5, Zakir Hossain Bablu benefits from long-held organisational control, though Jamaat’s Matiur Rahman Akanda presents a serious challenge.
In Mymensingh-7, a three-way fight looms as BNP’s Mahbubur Rahman Liton faces pressure from independent-minded rivals and Jamaat’s Asaduzzaman Sohel.
In Mymensingh-8, BNP newcomer Lutfullah Hel Majed Babu faces lingering resistance from ex-MP Shah Nurul Kabir Shaheen.
In Mymensingh-11, BNP nominee Fakhruddin Ahmed Bacchu faces continued internal opposition, raising fears of vote erosion.
With 4.71 million voters across 11 seats, Mymensingh should be the BNP territory. Yet history shows the party often loses winnable contests here, not to opponents, but to itself.
