Discussions about the upcoming election of Sylhet City Corporation began soon after the 13th National Parliament election in Sylhet. Potential mayoral candidates from Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have already started becoming active ahead of the polls.
However, political activities slowed somewhat after the appointment of an administrator to the city corporation. Now, ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, BNP leaders seeking party nomination for the mayoral race have resumed visible activities across the city.
Large billboards, posters, banners, and festoons carrying Eid greetings have appeared in different parts of Sylhet. Observers say many of these displays are being used as indirect election campaigns by aspiring mayoral candidates.
Meanwhile, Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, the administrator of Sylhet City Corporation, has requested that leaders avoid placing excessive banners and billboards in the name of Eid greetings that could harm the city’s beauty. The request was made in a press release issued by the city corporation’s public relations department on Thursday.
Interestingly, Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury himself is also considered a potential BNP candidate for the mayoral position. He was appointed as the city corporation’s administrator on February 23 and has already indicated his intention to contest the next mayoral election.
Although the exact date of the Sylhet City election has not yet been announced, Mir Shah Alam, State Minister for Local Government, recently said that the election schedule will be determined after parliament decides whether local government elections will be held under party symbols.
Despite the uncertainty, potential candidates have already begun strategic campaigning. With Eid approaching, they are using festive greetings as an opportunity to increase visibility and political presence in the city.
Billboards and posters wishing Eid greetings have been seen in the names of several BNP leaders, including acting president of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP Rezaul Hasan Qayes Lodi, general secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, former general secretary Abdul Qayyum Jalali Panki, and joint general secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Siddiqui.
Other potential mayoral candidates being discussed include BNP central committee co-organizing secretary Miftah Siddiqui and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society vice president Badruzzaman Selim.
Following BNP’s strong performance in the recent national election—winning 18 of the 19 parliamentary seats in Sylhet—party leaders and activists are optimistic about maintaining the momentum in the upcoming city corporation election.
Party insiders say BNP is determined not to lose control of the city corporation and is calling for a capable and strong candidate who can secure a decisive victory in the mayoral race.
