With the 13th parliamentary election approaching, the main contest in Sylhet division has crystallised into a straight fight between BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami–led 11-party alliance.
Although BNP and Jamaat are the principal contenders in most constituencies, rebel candidates and alliance partners have intensified competition in several seats. Voters say personal credibility, a clean public image and organisational strength are emerging as the decisive factors in determining outcomes.
Field-level assessments suggest that, of the division’s 19 seats in four districts, BNP is currently ahead in eight, while Jamaat leads in four. The remaining seven constituencies are shaping up as closely fought contests.
Sylhet district
In Sylhet district’s six constituencies, BNP and Jamaat are each seen as ahead in two seats, while the remaining two are too close to call.
In Sylhet-1 (City Corporation and Sadar), despite eight candidates contesting, the main battle is expected between BNP Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Jamaat’s Maulana Habibur Rahman.
Muktadir, widely regarded as having a “clean image”, appears ahead in campaigning, though Rahman, a businessman and well-known local figure, is mounting a strong challenge.
Sylhet-2 (Bishwanath and Osmaninagar) remains emotionally charged due to the enforced disappearance of BNP leader M Ilias Ali. His wife, BNP candidate Tahsina Rushdir Luna, is currently leading.
However, sections of the party have yet to campaign actively for her, opening the possibility of a tight contest with the 11-party alliance candidate, Muhammad Muntasir Ali of Khelafat Majlis.
In Sylhet-3 (South Surma, Fenchuganj and Balaganj), BNP’s Mohammad Abdul Malik and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis candidate Maulana Musleh Uddin Raju are locked in an even contest.
While Malik benefits from a strong personal support base, Raju is gaining added leverage from his association with his father, the renowned religious scholar Maulana Nuruddin Gohorpuri.
In Sylhet-4 (Companiganj, Jaintapur and Gowainghat), BNP heavyweight Ariful Haque Chowdhury is currently ahead, though Jamaat’s Zainal Abedin has been steadily strengthening his position.
In Sylhet-5 (Zakiganj and Kanaighat), neither BNP nor Jamaat has fielded a direct candidate. The BNP-led alliance is backing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam candidate Maulana Ubaidullah Faruk, while the Jamaat-led alliance has nominated Mufti Abdul Hasan of Khelafat Majlis.
BNP rebel candidate Mamunur Rashid is also in the race, setting the stage for a tightly contested three-way battle. Historically, this seat has seen repeated victories by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam candidates.
In Sylhet-6 (Beanibazar and Golapganj), Jamaat candidate Mohammad Selim Uddin, a former central leader of Islami Chhatra Shibir, appears slightly ahead of BNP’s Imran Ahmed Chowdhury, buoyed by a large and active organisational base.
Sunamganj district
In Sunamganj, BNP is ahead in three of the five constituencies, though the picture is more mixed elsewhere.
In Sunamganj-1 (Dharmapasha, Tahirpur, Madhyanagar and Jamalganj), BNP candidate Kamruzzaman Kamrul is in a stronger position than Jamaat’s Tofayel Ahmed.
In Sunamganj-2 (Dirai and Shalla), Jamaat candidate Advocate Shishir Monir is reported by voters to be ahead of the veteran BNP politician Nasir Uddin Chowdhury.
Sunamganj-3 (Shantiganj and Jagannathpur) has been shaped by internal rifts within the alliance. BNP rebel candidate Anwar Hossain is in a favourable position, with the main challenge coming from BNP’s official nominee, Kaiser Ahmed. The Jamaat-led alliance has fielded Shaheenur Pasha of Khelafat Majlis in the constituency.
In Sunamganj-4 (Sadar and Bishwambharpur), BNP candidate Nurul Islam Nurul is leading, but his advantage is being eroded by rebel contender Dewan Joynul Zakereen, a four-time upazila chairman. Jamaat’s Shams Uddin could further complicate the race, potentially turning it into a three-way contest.
In Sunamganj-5 (Chhatak and Dowarabazar), BNP candidate Kalim Uddin Ahmed Milon is facing Jamaat nominee Maulana Abu Tahir Muhammad Abdus Salam Madani. Milon is clearly ahead in the contest.
Habiganj district
In Habiganj-1 (Nabiganj and Bahubal), BNP nominee Reza Kibria, son of former finance minister Shah A S M Kibria, secured the party ticket soon after joining the party. He faces a strong challenge from rebel candidate Sheikh Sujat Mia, a former BNP lawmaker, making the contest highly competitive.
In Habiganj-2 (Baniachong and Ajmiriganj), BNP candidate Sakhawat Hasan Jibon is comfortably ahead of his rivals. The 11-party alliance has fielded Abdul Basit Azad of Khelafat Majlis in the constituency.
Habiganj-3 (Sadar, Shaistaganj and Lakhai) features BNP nominee GK Gaus, a central party leader with strong recognition across Sylhet division. His main rival, Jamaat candidate Kazi Mohsin Ahmed, is comparatively new to electoral politics. Gaus is widely expected to secure a decisive victory.
In Habiganj-4 (Madhabpur and Chunarughat), BNP candidate Syed Faisal is contesting against 11-party alliance nominee Ahmed Abdul Qader. However, much of the local attention has centred on Gias Uddin, an Islamic preacher popularly known as “Taheri Huzur”, who is contesting under the banner of the Bangladesh Islami Front. Despite this, BNP remains ahead in the race.
Moulvibazar district
In Moulvibazar-1 (Borolekha and Juri), Jamaat candidate Mohammad Aminul Islam is currently ahead of BNP’s Nasir Uddin Ahmed. However, Jatiya Party’s Ahmed Riazi Uddin is gradually gaining ground, adding an extra layer of competition to the race.
In Moulvibazar-2 (Kulaura), voters point to a closely fought three-way contest between BNP’s Md Shawkatul Islam, Jamaat’s Md Sayed Ali, and independent candidate Fazlul Haque Khan.
In Moulvibazar-3 (Sadar and Rajnagar), BNP candidate M Naser Rahman, son of former finance minister Saifur Rahman, appears relatively comfortable. His position has been strengthened by a divided opposition, with the 11-party alliance fielding Ahmad Bilal of Khelafat Majlis, while Jamaat rebel candidate Abdul Mannan is also in the race.
Finally, in Moulvibazar-4 (Sreemangal and Kamalganj), BNP nominee Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury is contesting against rebel candidate Mohsin Mia Madhu. Although the 11-party alliance formally nominated NCP’s Pritam Das, Khelafat Majlis candidate Sheikh Nur-e-Alam Hamidi remains active in the field. Voters say the contest is ultimately likely to narrow to a direct fight between Mujibur Rahman and Mohsin Mia.
