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Published : 02 Feb 2026, 12:59 PM
The BNP’s showing in the five Narsingdi seats in the upcoming election will largely depend on how much resistance rival Jamaat-e-Islami candidates and independents can put up in the industrial hub on the outskirts of Dhaka, which has long remained in the “grip” of the Awami League’s.
A total of 43 candidates from different political parties, along with their supporters, are busy campaigning across the five constituencies.
Voters believe that though several candidates are optimistic about victory, the Awami League’s usual voters could emerge as the “trump card” in determining the results. Therefore, candidates from all parties, including independents, are trying to woo them through various development pledges.
Candidates are promising to establish a university and a medical college in Narsingdi, improve infrastructure, and put an end to decades-long violence in the Char areas, among other commitments.
THREE CANDIDATES FROM SAME VILLAGE
In Narsingdi-1, which comprises the Sadar Upazila, the BNP candidate is Khairul Kabir Khokon, a former Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) general secretary, district party president and party joint secretary. Jamaat-e-Islami has nominated retired bank official Md Ibrahim Bhuiyan.
Both candidates hail from Chinispur village in the Sadar Upazila. Advocate Shirin Akhter of Gono Odhikar Parishad is also contesting from the same village.
The contest is expected to be tight, potentially putting BNP’s Khairul under pressure.
Locals say Jamaat’s apparent vote base in the Sadar seat may be small, but the party’s activists are capable of bringing nearly all of their supporters to polling centres. They may also attract general voters and supporters of other parties.
However, there is little likelihood of Awami League votes shifting towards Jamaat, which could benefit rival candidates.
On the other hand, BNP grassroots activists feel there are internal feuds and lingering grievances within the party, as seen at various times in the past, which have sometimes escalated to clashes, cases and even killings. If these divisions prevent the party from mobilising its full vote bank, the electoral equation could change, posing risks for the BNP candidate.
“This is my permanent home, so I know the people’s expectations well,” said Jamaat’s Ibrahim. “I have already identified 15 key problems and opportunities and published an election manifesto. If the vote is fair, I am hopeful people will elect me to ensure overall development of the area.”
BNP’s Khairul says, “This district is known as a BNP stronghold. In the past, BNP candidates won all five seats here and carried out extensive development. This time as well, the BNP will win all the seats and work for development. To be precise, BNP is unbeatable in Narsingdi.”
BATTLE OF YOUNG AND OLD
In Narsingdi-2, which includes Palash Upazila, the BNP candidate is National Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan, a seasoned politician who has represented the seat for a long time and also served as a minister.
He will face Golam Sarwar Tushar, joint convener of the newly-formed NCP and the candidate of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance.
Although a new contestant, Tushar has mobilised youths against crime, extortion, irregularities and corruption in the area. He says people want change and that he is receiving a good response during his campaign.
However, a section of the 11-party alliance believes Jamaat leader Amjad Hossain, who had long been organising in the field and enjoyed broader acceptability, could have posed a stronger challenge had he been nominated.
NCP leaders believe Jamaat-e-Islami will deploy its full strength in the campaign.
Meanwhile, BNP leaders and activists are confident of a decisive victory for Moyeen.
Palash Upazila BNP President Abdus Sattar said, “Moyeen Khan comes from an educated political family. His father, the late former food minister Momen Khan, was the architect of Narsingdi’s development. Moyeen has himself served as a minister and three-time MP.
“People have not forgotten the extensive development he carried out in Palash while in power. We are working to ensure his victory by a huge margin to continue that development.”
MANNAN BHUIYAN STILL RELEVANT
Former BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan’s influence still remains strong in the constituency comprising Shibpur Upazila, his home ground, long after his passing. He was elected multiple times from the constituency and his support base remains
His political protégé, former Upazila chairman and multiple-time Union Parishad chairman Ariful Islam Mridha, is running as an independent candidate.
A section of the BNP believes Ariful has put party nominee and district general secretary Monjur Elahi under pressure. Monjur is a two-time chairman of the Sadar Upazila Parishad, and some voters see him as an “outsider” to Shibpur—an advantage that could favour Ariful.
Despite all factors, both leading contenders are confident of victory.
Ariful said, “As a political disciple of Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, I believe in his ideology. I have served multiple times as union chairman and once as Upazila chairman. I have never left the soil of Shibpur and have stood by people in times of crisis regardless of party affiliation. People love me and encouraged me to contest. In Sha Allah, I will win.”
BNP candidate Monjur said, “The people of Shibpur love me and will elect the paddy sheaf by a large margin, In Sha Allah. I stood by party leaders and activists during repression and hardship, and they are with me now. I will continue working for the area’s development, and people will vote for me because of that trust.”
UPAZILA EQUATION
The constituency comprising Monohardi and Belabo Upazilas is largely agriculture-based. Since the 1990s, it has alternated between Awami League and BNP control.
BNP has nominated former MP Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bokul, who faces a challenge from Jamaat candidate Maulana Md Jahangir Alam.
Voters say Jamaat has a strong base in Monohardi, while Belabo is considered a BNP stronghold.
BNP leaders believe their candidate will secure an easy win by dominating votes in both Upazilas.
To attract Awami League voters, the BNP candidate is pledging different development initiatives, listening to voters’ concerns both online and in person, and promising to prioritise solutions.
CHAR VOTES A FACTOR
BNP candidate Ashraf Uddin Bokul is facing challenges from two independent candidates in the constituency covering Raipura Upazila.
Voters expect a three-way contest involving BNP rebel Jamal Ahmed Chowdhury and independent candidate and teacher Panir Hossain.
Local political observers say both independent candidates will attempt to attract Awami League votes. Whoever succeeds in doing so may gain the upper hand. In addition, a large number of Char voters could play a decisive role.
This means Awami League votes and Char votes together have the power to alter the electoral equation.
Rumours persist that many BNP leaders and activists are quietly supporting the rebel candidate.
A Raipura Upazila BNP leader said it is difficult to predict the final outcome in this seat compared to the other four in Narsingdi.
“Anything can happen here, as both independent candidates have strong personal reputations. Still, at the end of the day, the party and the paddy sheaf symbol remain being key factors.
“If BNP leaders and activists can bring voters to the centres and secure the votes, the result may be favourable. Otherwise, the risk will remain.”
