The lost decades, and fall of JP bastion

There was a time when rickshaw-pullers in Rangpur denied ride requests if they came to know that the passenger had an inclination towards BNP or Awami League. They were often heard saying to people, “You are a not supporter of Jatiya Party. I won't carry you”. 

Although sounding like a myth, it was the reality in Rangpur district just one and a half decades ago. President of Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rezaul Islam Milon came up with the example while sharing the story of JP's popularity.

But the scenario has changed -- JP started losing its stronghold as it has not had any development plan, council, or grassroots activities in the last one decade. As a result, JP failed to create new supporters and started seeing an eroding vote bank, according to experts and political leaders.

This correspondent talked to at least four dozen voters, including rickshaw-pullers, and all of them said they always vote for JP but do not get any benefit in return. “We only see our leaders during the time of election and they disappear after it,” said one of them.

Fakrul Anam Benju, president of Rangpur district Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), told The Daily Star that JP has ruled Rangpur for three decades but it has no single contribution of development in recent times. “The party has no coordination among grassroots leaders and its activities. Even if a decision was taken, it didn't see light,” he said.

According to Rangpur business community, JP Chairman HM Ershad set up sodium bulbs in the streets, a branch of Bangladesh Bank in Rangpur, and developed road networks during its tenure of 1983-1990. After that JP has not had any development project for the district.

In 1996, after AL came to power, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid a foundation stone at Carmichael College to turn it into a science and technology university. But the university did not come into being because the local MP was not active, said Milon.

There were two intercity train services from Dhaka to Rangpur but in 2001, when BNP formed the government, the route was cancelled and the service was introduced on Dhaka-Lalmonirhat route, said Milon, also publicity secretary of Rangpur city AL. 

In 2007, the foundation stone of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur was laid but the work got into full swing after AL's return to power in 2008, he said, adding that Rangpur has even got back the intercity train in 2009. “We got a division, metropolitan police, city corporation due to direct cooperation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”

Ershad and his party leaders were elected by Rangpur people in the last five elections but they did not take any step for setting up any industry in the district, he said. As there has been no gas connection in Rangpur, there has been an embargo on the import of all kinds of products from the four land ports under the division, said Milon.

Tuhin Wadud, associate professor of Bangla at Begum Rokeya University, also has similar observations. JP is losing its stronghold because they failed to create a new support base in the last 10 years through any development or organisational activities, he said.

Accepting the fact, JP Secretary General Moshiur Rahman Ranga, also state minister for LGRD, said they were not able to give proper attention to grassroots due to illness of the party chief. Besides, the party leaders have lost hope for not getting a sufficient number of seats in parliament, he said, adding that they are working to improve the situation.