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The Faridpur-4 constituency, comprising the Sadarpur, Charbhadrasan and Bhanga Upazilas, has long drawn nationwide attention due to the influence of Awami League leader Kazi Jafar Ullah and Jubo League leader Mujibur Rahman Nixon Chowdhury in the constituency.
For a long time, the seat was effectively controlled by these two leaders. Nixon won the constituency three times in a row, while the BNP managed to secure victory only once—in the 2002 by-election, bdnews24.com reports.
However, the electoral equation in the constituency has changed following the July 2024 Uprising. In the absence of the Awami League from the electoral field, the BNP—previously on the back foot in electoral politics—has now moved to the forefront.
On the other hand, the Jamaat-e-Islami–led 11-party alliance has not declared an official candidate for the seat, resulting in separate candidates from Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis contesting it.
Adding further intrigue, independent candidate AAM Mujahid Beg, known locally for his social and welfare activities, has created a stir by running under the football symbol. His supporters remain highly optimistic about his prospects.
The candidates for the seat include BNP’s Shahidul Islam Babul (paddy sheaf), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis’ Md Mizanur Rahman Mollah (rickshaw), and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Md Sarwar Hossain (weighing scales).
Other contenders are Jatiya Party’s Raihan Jamil, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Md Ishaq Chokdar, Bangladesh Communist Party (CPB) candidate Ataur Rahman, and independent candidate Muhammad Mojibur Hossain.
Discussions with voters suggest a three-way race in the constituency. Observers believe that if either Jamaat-e-Islami or Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis withdraws its candidate, the alliance could gain a strong advantage.
However, the hot topic is the bank of Awami League votes and reports of local Awami League leaders and activists joining the BNP candidate’s campaign. However, these claims could not be independently verified.
BNP candidate Babul hails from Nagarkanda Upazila in the neighbouring Faridpur-2 constituency and is currently staying in Sadarpur to carry out his campaign.
Local voters say that after securing the nomination, Shahidul shifted his strategy in Awami League–dominated areas and brought party leaders and activists into his campaign, placing him in a strong position.
Businessman Sabbir Hossain of Sadarpur said, “Supporters of former MPs Nixon Chowdhury and Kazi Jafar Ullah have joined the BNP mainly to avoid cases and arrests. They are now openly campaigning for the paddy sheaf. Most of them are Union Parishad chairmen and Awami League leaders loyal to Nixon and Kazi Jafar Ullah.”
Tea stall owner Khandaker Zahid of Bhanga Gol Chattar said that although he voted for Kazi Jafar Ullah in the past, but will vote for the paddy sheaf this time.
However, BNP candidate Babul denied these claims. “There are eight candidates in this election. But no one has faced repression like I have,” he said. “In the last 17 years, I have been jailed 128 times. I endured oppression not just for myself, but for the people of the country and for democracy.”
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis candidate Mizanur is campaigning with the rickshaw symbol.
Independent candidate Mujahid Beg, a member of the Beg family of Charbhadrasan, is also a prominent figure. The family is known for providing free medical services and for its involvement in sports over the years.
He said he would win if there was a level playing field, alleging that BNP activists had created an atmosphere of fear among voters across the three Upazilas through cases and arrests.
“Even my closest associates are being harassed with false cases,” he said.
At a press conference on Sunday, he alleged that a major political party was creating an unstable environment by threatening supporters, displaying weapons, instilling fear through attacks and cases, using police arrests, obstructing campaigns, and tearing down banners and festoons.
He also claimed that case suspects had joined that party to spread fear in the election field, and that no action was being taken despite complaints to the administration.
He did not name the party, though BNP leaders and activists—against whom the allegations were directed—denied the claims.
Meanwhile, Khelafat Majlis candidate Mizanur is running an active campaign and remains competitive, backed by his involvement in various social initiatives. However, uncertainty over the unresolved candidate issue within the Jamaat alliance remains a key challenge.
He said, “Central leaders are closely observing the matter. We hope they will make a final decision by retaining one candidate from the alliance.”
The Faridpur-4 constituency has more than 451,000 voters.