With the election clock ticking, contrasting campaign tactics in Dhaka-03 and Dhaka-08 are coming sharply into focus with Jamaat and its alliance candidates taking indirect aim at their rivals while mobilising religious sentiment, and heavyweight BNP nominees largely opting for social outreach and public engagement, instead of verbal confrontation.
Eight and nine other rival contenders in Dhaka-03 and Dhaka-08 respectively remain mostly inactive, surfacing occasionally to distribute a few leaflets, a visit by TIMES correspondents to the constituencies revealed.
In Dhaka-03, Jamaat candidate Md Shahinur Islam, and in Dhaka-08, Jamaat-allied NCP candidate Muhammad Nasiruddin Patwary, relied on indirect criticism of opponents to draw voter support, while also appealing to religious sentiment to mobilise their bases.
In contrast, BNP heavyweights Goyasawar Chandra Roy in Dhaka-03 and Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed in Dhaka-08 are maintaining distance from political attacks, focusing instead on social programmes, personal interactions and public events to connect with voters.
On Monday, BNP candidate Babu Goyaswar Chandra Roy led large processions in Suvadda Union of Dhaka-03, while Jamaat candidate Shahinur Islam campaigned through leaflet distribution and one-on-one outreach with voters.
Without naming rivals, Shahinur hinted that opponents might attempt vote rigging and urged voters to remain vigilant on polling day.
He pledged to work toward a future Bangladesh built on peace, development and justice, while calling on voters to support “Islamic-minded” candidates in the election.
Seeking to strengthen his religious appeal, he said, “I am seeking your support so that genuinely Islamic-minded candidates receive more votes in the upcoming election.”
Over the past few days, his online campaign has circulated mostly short videos – some of them fictional – across social media platforms, appealing particularly to minority voters by promising greater opportunities.
Meanwhile, BNP candidate Roy’s campaign has focused on friendly greetings and inclusive slogans aimed at people from diverse backgrounds. Female party workers have been going door to door, distributing leaflets and seeking votes from women voters.
Although Roy himself has been relatively less active online, his daughter-in-law, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, has played a significant role in both offline and online campaigning on his behalf.
In Dhaka-08, NCP candidate Nasiruddin Patwary has primarily accused his opponents of extortion without naming anyone directly.
On Monday, following a courtyard meeting with women in Segunbagicha arranged by the Shahbag Unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, Patwary told TIMES that he was not accusing any individual, but rather criticising a system that, he said, creates opportunities for extortion.
Asked about his repeated allegations and whether he intended to name those involved, he said, “Ask the people in Shahjahanpur or elsewhere in this constituency, and you will find out who the real mafia is.”
On the same day, BNP candidate Mirza Abbas attended a social event titled “Cake Festival,” organised by residents of Purana Paltan and Bijoy Nagar.
He said voters in his constituency are capable of seeing through deception. “I’m not worried about any defamation campaign against me. Voters here are decent, intelligent and educated.”
Asked whether he had any special plans to win support from female voters, the veteran politician replied, “Here, men and women compete on an equal footing, and I will strive to create opportunities for everyone.”
