Koheli Kuddus Mukti, daughter of Awami League (AL) former lawmaker of Natore-4 constituency late Freedom Fighter Abdul Kuddus, was in the limelight to get a party nomination after his father’s death. But Mukti didn’t get the nomination. She is a member of the district Awami League and former vice-president of Jubo Mohila Awami League. Md Siddiqur Rahman Patwari, health and population affairs secretary of Natore Awami League, and Boraigram Upazila Chairman has got the party’s nomination to contest the by-elections to Natore-4 constituency. This nomination has brought a positive response from the grassroots. Leaders and activists of the constituency are revived.

Professor Abdul Kuddus was a five-time lawmaker and former state minister for the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry. In his political career, Abdul Kuddus was the president of the greater Rajshahi district Chhatra Sangram Parishad during the Liberation War. He was the general secretary of Rajshahi district and Rajshahi city Awami League and president of Natore district Awami League twice. The speculation was that Kuddus’s daughter Mukti would get the ticket of Awami League in the by-election. But she didn’t get the nomination. A senior leader got the party ticket in the by-polls.  

Party sources said Awami League in most cases gave party nominations to wife, son and daughter of the late Members of Parliament (MPs) and ministers. But in recent times, it has come out from this tradition.

Contacted, Awami League Presidium Member Abdur Rahman said, “In many cases, we saw that wives or children of the late lawmakers are popular in their constituencies. They have good relations with the party’s leaders and activists. They have been given party nominations as eligible candidates, not for relatives of the late MPs.”

“It is not true that family members of the late lawmakers get next-party tickets. We give nomination considering candidate’s personality, popularity, eligibility, and their acceptance to the common people,” he added.

After the demise of legendary actor and lawmaker Akbar Hossain Pathan, his son Roshan Hossain Pathan wanted an Awami League nomination in the Dhaka-17 constituency. But Roshan didn’t get the nomination. Awami League Central Working Committee Member Mohammad Ali Arafat was nominated in this seat and has been elected in the by-polls.      

Former senior secretary at the Prime Minister's Office Sajjadul Hasan has got the Awami League nomination for the by-election in Netrakona-4 as the seat fell vacant following the death of its previous incumbent Rebecca Momin.   

The AL gave the nomination to former Bangladesh Chhatra League president Mahmud Hasan Ripon for Gaibandha-5 constituency by-polls. The seat fell vacant at the death of Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah. Fazle Rabbi’s daughter Farzana Rabbi Bubly, also Fulchari Awami League general secretary sought the nomination for the by-polls. Aga Khan Mintu, president of Shah Ali Thana Awami League was given nomination for the Dhaka-14 constituency after the death of Aslamul Haque. Aslamul’s wife Masuda Haque also sought an AL nomination. Awami League had nominated Dr Pran Gopal Datta, vice-president of Cumilla district Awami league, to contest the Comilla-7 by-election after the demise of lawmaker and former deputy speaker Ali Ashraf. Ali Ashraf’s son Muntakim Ashraf Titu sought nomination in the constituency. Advocate Abul Hashem Khan was given the Awami League's ticket in the Cumilla-5 (Burichong-Brahmanpara) by-elections. The seat fell vacant after the death of Awami League lawmaker Abdul Matin Khasru. Matin’s son Munef Wasif, daughter Dr Umme Habiba Dilshad Munmun, sibling Cumilla Bar Association’s former president and general secretary Advocate Abdul Momin Ferdouse and wife Salma Sobhan Khasru wanted AL nomination. But Burichong Upazila Awami League president and Cumilla Bar Association’s former president Abul Hashem Khan got the party ticket. AL Executive Committee Member Merina Jahan Kabita was given a nomination for the Sirajganj-6 constituency by polls as the seat fell vacant following the death of former parliament member Hasibur Rahman Shawpan. Md. Nuruzzaman Biswas contested as the Awami League's runner in the polls to the Pabna-4 by-elections.

The parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of AL lawmaker Shamsur Rahman Sherif.  Shamsur’s son Galibur Rahman Sherif was the nomination seeker of the constituency. The Awami League had nominated Kazi Monirul Islam Monu to contest the by-elections to the Dhaka-5 seat. The Dhaka-5 constituency fell vacant following the death of Awami League lawmaker Habibur Rahman Mollah. All thought that Habibur’s son Demra Thana Awami League general secretary Mashiur Rahman Sahal would get a boat symbol. But it didn’t happen. Advocate Umme Kulsum Smriti was given an AL ticket for the Gaibandha-3 constituency as the seat fell vacant after the death of Dr. Yunus Ali Sarkar MP. Yunus Ali’s son Dr. Foisal Yunus sought nomination in the constituency. Awami League picked Anwar Hossain Helal as its candidate for the by-polls to the Naogaon-6 constituency after the death of lawmaker M Israfil Alam. Israfil’s wife Parvin Sultana Beauty wanted the nomination. Advocate Amirul Alam Milon got an AL ticket for Bagerhat-4 by-polls after the demise of Dr Mozammel Hossain MP. Mozammel’s daughter-in-law Ismat Ara Shirin Chowdhury didn’t get the party’s nomination. Jashore district Awami League general secretary Shahin Chakladar got the party ticket to contest the Jashore-6 by-election as the seat fell vacant after the death of Ismat Ara Sadeque MP. Ismat Ara’s daughter Nourin Sadeque failed to get the nomination. Awami League gave the nomination to Khan Ahmed Shuvo in the Tangail-7 by-polls. The parliamentary seat fell vacant after the death of local lawmaker Ekabbar Hossain. Mohammad Habib Hasan got an AL ticket for Dhaka-18 seat after the death of former home minister and Awami League lawmaker Sahara Khatun. Habibur Rahman Habib contested as the Awami League's candidate in the Sylhet-3 constituency. This seat became vacant after the death of Mahmud Us Samad MP. Mahmud Us Samad’s wife Farzana Samad was a nomination seeker for the seat.

Mohiuddin Bacchu, former convenor of Chattogram City Juba League, had got the Awami League nomination for the by-election in Chattogram-10, which fell vacant after the death of Dr. Afsarul Ameen Chowdhury. Afsarul’s wife Kamrun Nesa, son Md. Faisal Ameen and his brother Md. Ershadul Ameen wanted an AL ticket for the by-polls. Moslem Uddin Ahmad got an AL ticket in Chattagram-8 constituency after the death of Mayeen Uddin Khan Badal. Later, after the demise of Moslem Uddin Ahmad, Noman Al Mahmud got the party’s nomination. Business leader Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin got an AL ticket in Dhaka-10 constituency as Fazle Noor Taposh resigned from the MP post to contest in the mayoral post of Dhaka South City Corporation. Awami League nominated Nuruddin Chowdhury Nayan to contest the Laxmipur-2 constituency by-election. The parliamentary constituency was declared vacant after independent parliamentarian, Mohammad Shahid Islam, alias Kazi Papul, was sentenced by a Kuwaiti court for a criminal offence. 

Vice-Chancellor of the National University Prof Dr Harun-ur-Rashid told Bangladesh Pratidin that it is a positive side that Awami League is giving nominations to the senior, dedicated and tested leaders coming out of family tradition. This trend should be continued in all elections as leaders and activists from the grassroots can revive. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made leadership this way. Leaders and activists from the grassroots will think if they carry the ideal of Bangabandhu, the party will evaluate them. This is the ideal of the Awami League.

“The trend should be continued in the next general election,” he continued.

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on September 17, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.