Nahid Islam eyes Dhaka-11: Will he capitalize on the Rampura-Banasree uprising?

Nahid Islam, a rising political figure and former Adviser to Bangladesh‍‍`s interim government, is expected to contest the upcoming national elections from the Dhaka-11 constituency. 

This move comes in the aftermath of his growing influence during the July uprising, particularly in the Rampura-Banasree area, where he coordinated the anti-discrimination student movement.

The July 17 closure of Dhaka University seemed to signal the end of the student protests against discrimination. 

However, on July 18, students from BRAC University and East West University took to the streets, reigniting the movement in Rampura-Banasree. 

This area, central to the movement’s resurgence, now serves as a symbolic platform for Nahid Islam, where he is likely to launch his political campaign.

A Political Landscape Ripe for Change

Dhaka-11 has seen multiple boundary changes over the years, significantly altering its political dynamics. 

Comprising Rampura, Badda, Vatara, Hatirjheel police station, and nine wards, the constituency has struggled to establish stable leadership. 

Neither the BNP nor the Awami League has managed to solidify their presence here, despite both parties having won elections in the past.

From 1991 to 2008, five different individuals were elected from this seat across four general elections, reflecting the instability of political leadership. 

BNP candidates won two terms, but the seat cannot be labeled as a BNP stronghold. 

The most notable BNP figure in the constituency‍‍`s history is SA Khaleque, who won in 2001, although he had previously been elected from the area as a Jatiya Party candidate.

However, Khaleque‍‍`s personal popularity did little to strengthen his party’s influence, and the leadership vacuum has persisted. 

More recently, BNP‍‍`s MA Qayum, the former president of Dhaka North BNP, has emerged as a potential candidate, although his social and charitable activities have not yet solidified his position.

Electoral History and Current Challenges

Dhaka-11’s election history shows fluctuating results with no party maintaining dominance for long. 

In 1991, BNP’s Harun Rashid Mollah narrowly won against Awami League‍‍`s Dr. Kamal Hossain, but following Mollah‍‍`s death, a by-election saw BNP’s Syed Mohsin win the seat.

In the 2001 election, SA Khaleque of the BNP secured the seat with 193,945 votes, defeating Awami League‍‍`s Kamal Ahmed Mazumder. In 2008, Awami League’s Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal won the seat with 130,424 votes. 

However, the 2014 elections were uncontested by the BNP, and Awami League‍‍`s AKM Rahmatullah took the seat unopposed.

The 2018 election saw Rahmatullah win again, this time against BNP’s Shamim Ara Begum, securing 195,553 votes. 

With the BNP boycotting the 2024 elections, Awami League’s Md. Wakil Uddin won with 82,964 votes, while his nearest rival from the Jatiya Party garnered only 2,714 votes.

The absence of strong local leadership from either party, coupled with Dhaka-11’s evolving boundaries, makes this constituency an open playing field for Nahid Islam, who faces little competition.

The Rise of Nahid Islam

Nahid Islam, nicknamed Fahim, was born in Dhaka in 1998. His father was a teacher and mother a housewife. 

He completed his SSC from South Banasree Model High School in 2014 and his HSC from Government Science College in 2016. 

He went on to study sociology at Dhaka University, graduating in 2022.

Nahid has not only been an activist but also has a political background. He served as a central leader of the Democratic Student Power, and at one point, organized a solo protest on campus, rallying against India‍‍`s aggression. 

His activism and political engagement led to his appointment as an Adviser to the interim government on August 8, 2024. 

The following day, he was assigned to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology as an Adviser.

Now, Nahid looks set to enter mainstream politics, capitalizing on the sentiment around the Rampura-Banasree uprising. 

His involvement in the student movement and his background in activism make him a promising candidate for Dhaka-11.

Will Nahid Islam Succeed?

The question remains whether Nahid Islam can leverage the momentum from the July uprising and the lack of strong opposition to secure a victory in Dhaka-11. 

The Rampura-Banasree area holds sentimental value due to its central role in the student protests, and Nahid is poised to tap into this sentiment.

With no strong competitor in sight, Nahid Islam may find a clear path to the political arena. 

Only time will tell whether he can turn his activism into electoral success and become a key political figure in Dhaka-11.