Photo : BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) – Although a total of six candidates are contesting in Naogaon-4 (Manda) constituency in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, main contest is expected to be between the BNP candidate and the Jamaat-e-Islami nominee.

The BNP candidate contesting with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol is Dr. Ikramul Bari Tipu, while Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominee with the Scales symbol is Khandaker Abdur Rakib. Both are new faces in the upcoming national parliamentary election slated to be held on February 12. 

However, they had previously contested against each other in the 2009 upazila parishad election, where Dr. Ikramul Bari Tipu won by a large margin. Both are known in the area as candidates with clean images.
 
Other candidates include Dr. Fazlur Rahman (CPB) with the Sickle symbol, Altaf Hossain (Jatiya Party) with the Plough symbol, Sohbar Hossain (Islami Andolan Bangladesh) with the Hand Fan symbol, and independent candidate Arfana Begum Fancy with the Pitcher symbol.
 
Among the six parliamentary constituencies of Naogaon district, the Manda seat is considered one of Jamaat-e-Islami’s key targets. BNP is also standing in a very strong position in this constituency. 

The competition among leaders, activists, and supporters of the two parties is intensifying day by day ahead of the polls.
 
According to political analysts, Dr. Ikramul Bari Tipu could emerge as a major challenge for Jamaat, as he is widely regarded as the most acceptable BNP leader in this constituency.
 
A review of past election results shows that the constituency has long exhibited a complex political equation. 

BNP claims it has a strong voter base here, while Jamaat also asserts its solid position. With the Awami League not contesting in the current election, informed observers believe this equation may become even more complicated.
 
Past election analyses show that in 1991, Jamaat candidate Maulana Nasir Uddin Jihadi won this seat with the Scales symbol.

In 1996 and 2001 respectively, BNP candidate late Shamsul Alam Pramanik won with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol. Besides, in1988, Jatiya Party candidate Kafil Uddin Sonar was elected as an MP with the Plough symbol.
 
Later, in 2008, veteran Awami League leader Imaj Uddin Pramanik won as an independent candidate with the Pitcher symbol. 

Most recently, in 2024 election, independent candidate Brahani Sultan Mahmud Gama won by a large margin, defeating both the Awami League’s Boat symbol candidate and independent candidate Imaj Uddin Pramanik.
 
Discussions with local voters reveal that Dr. Ikramul Bari Tipu is known as a popular figure beyond his political identity. 

Through long-standing political and social activities, he has earned the trust of people from various walks of life regardless of party affiliation or religion. At present, he has become a central topic of discussion in marketplaces and village tea stalls.
 
On the other hand, Khandaker Abdur Rakib, a member of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Central Majlis-e-Shura and Ameer of Naogaon district Jamaat, is also known to voters as a clean-image candidate. The organization is carrying out extensive campaigns to ensure his victory.
 
However, locals believe that the organizational activities of the CPB, Jatiya Party, and other parties are comparatively weak. 

The candidate of Islami Andolan Bangladesh is not seen to be very active in the field. Independent candidate Arfana Begum Fancy is continuing her campaign alone with the Pitcher symbol.
 
Overall, the electoral atmosphere in this constituency is becoming increasingly tense, and voters are closely watching to see who will ultimately emerge victorious.