BNP, Jamaat intensify final push in Khulna-1 ahead of national polls

Once considered a stronghold of the Awami League, the seat is now witnessing intensified competition, particularly from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. 
Khulna-1, the 99th parliamentary constituency, comprises Dakop and Batiaghata upazilas of Khulna district. 
Analysts said political calculations have changed notably since the July 2024 mass uprising, with demographic and voting patterns evolving in the constituency. The area, previously dominated by Hindu voters and regarded as a near-certain Awami League win, has seen a rise in Muslim voter influence, including supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Shasantantra Movement.
This election, Khulna-1 has a total of 303,542 voters. Of them, 167,210 are registered in Batiaghata upazila and 136,332 in Dakop upazila. Voting will take place at 119 polling stations with 637 booths. Voters from the traditional (Hindu) community number more than 141,000, accounting for about 46 percent of the electorate—seen as a decisive bloc.
BNP has nominated Amir Ezaz Khan, former Khulna district BNP convener, who has been active in Dakop-Batiaghata politics for nearly three decades. He previously contested the seat in 2001, 2008 and 2018, securing 47,523, 68,420 and 28,332 votes respectively. Amir Ejaz Khan said he remains committed to the constituency despite legal cases and attacks, pledging to address erosion, underdevelopment in Dakop, and limited progress in Batiaghata. Veteran journalist and columnist Professor Enayet Ali Biswas noted that Amir Ejaz Khan has steadily expanded his vote base over the years and could benefit this time from the absence of an Awami League candidate.
In a significant development, Jamaat-e-Islami has fielded a candidate for Khulna-1, breaking with past practice. The party has nominated Krishna Nandi, a businessman and president of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Hindu wing (Sanatani) in Dumuria upazila. Although not a resident of the constituency, Nandi replaced the initially announced nominee, Maulana Md Abu Yusuf, who is now serving as director of Jamaat’s election management committee for the seat.
Krishna Nandi said he joined Jamaat in 2005 due to its ideological stance against corruption, extortion and drugs, and alleged that he faced prolonged pressure during the previous Awami League government because of his political affiliation.
Other candidates contesting in Khulna-1 include representatives from the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jatiya Party, JSD, GOP, Bangladesh Minority Janata Party, Bangladesh Islamic Front, Bangladesh Samodhikar Party, and several independents.
A total of 13 candidates initially submitted nomination papers. After scrutiny, the Election Commission approved the candidacies of 12 contenders for the Khulna-1 constituency.