According to a survey, more than 85% of Rupganj voters (Narayanganj-1 constituency) oppose Golam Dastagir Gazi, minister for textiles and jute, for a fourth term in the upcoming parliamentary election on Sunday.
They rejected Gazi's continued representation, citing allegations of supporting terrorists, illicit activities, land grabbing, and neglecting grassroots workers.
The poll highlights a majority of voters in the constituency rejecting the prospect of Gazi's continued representation, due to the allegations of supporting terrorists, involvement in illicit activities, land grabbing for personal gain, and neglecting grassroots workers.
Residents seek a change in leadership, expressing a desire for new faces, according to the poll conducted on 11,175 voters out of the total of 3.86 lakh from December 19 to January 2. Prominent Bangla newspaper Kaler Kantho conducted the survey.
The survey reveals an alternative candidate, Shahjahan Bhuiyan, a three-time upazila chairman of Rupganj.
Despite being a committed Awami League leader with a lengthy record of people-centric politics, Shahjahan Bhuiyan has refrained from seeking the party's nomination.
However, succumbing to public pressure, he entered the election fray as an independent candidate using the 'Kettle' symbol. The survey results indicate a significant surge in public support for him.
The poll indicates that 54.13% of voters prefer Shahjahan Bhuiyan as the MP of Rupganj, whereas only 22.82% still have confidence in Gazi.
The true representation of public support will be apparent when the election is conducted freely and fairly, providing voters with the chance to cast their votes without any impediments, according to the survey.
The survey covered multiple areas, including Muradpur, Tarab, Bhulta, Golakandail, Daoudpur, Rupganj, Kayetpara, and Bhulabo, representing around 3% of the total voters.
Among the surveyed voters, 7,599 were male and 3,576 were female, spanning ages 18 to 85. Specifically, 4,102 voters aged 18 to 35, 3,827 aged 36 to 50, and 3,246 aged above 50 were interviewed.
The respondents represented diverse classes and professions, including students, employees, and housewives.
The survey team engaged in conversations with a majority of the voters in every village across seven unions of Rupganj upazila and two municipal areas.
To know their opinion, the survey team asked the participants 14 questions.
In the survey, 9,506 participants (85.07%) voiced a desire for a change in leadership in the constituency, signalling reluctance towards Golam Dastagir Gazi. Only 12.69% of voters feel that no change is necessary.
Participants were questioned about their preference for an alternative to three-time parliamentarian and Awami League nominee Golam Dastagir Gazi. A significant number of voters cited his 15-year record of poor governance in Rupganj as a primary concern.
The voters have voiced their concern against Minister Gazi, citing allegations of land grabbing, supporting drug dealers, and orchestrating oppression. Additionally, they accused him of being involved in attacks and torture of the people in the area through his cadres.
On the other hand, the popularity of independent candidate Shahjahan Bhuiyan (‘Kettle’ symbol) among the voters is at its peak.
According to the survey, more than 54% of respondents expressed their desire to have this grassroots and activist-friendly leader as a member of parliament in the Narayanganj-1 constituency.
Respondents said that the main contest for the seat will be between ‘Boat’ symbol candidate Golam Dastagir Gazi and independent candidate ‘Kettle’ symbol Shahjahan Bhuiyan.
Meanwhile, there is also a discussion about Trinamool BNP Secretary General Advocate Taimur Alam Khandkar and Jatiya Party Central Organising Secretary Saiful Islam.
Around 13% of voters have expressed support for Taimur Alam Khandkar, and 3% for Saiful Islam.
Others have not commented on this matter.
BDST: 1830 HRS, JAN 06, 2024
