Political tension is steadily rising in Khulna–5 (Phultala–Dumuria) constituency ahead of the national parliamentary election scheduled for February 12. After a long period, a three-way political contest has made the seat highly competitive. At the center of public and political discussion is Miah Ghulam Parwar, Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. According to local voters and political analysts, he is contesting the election from a strong position, and his chances of victory cannot be ruled out.
Field-level conversations with voters indicate that Ghulam Parwar has earned the trust of a significant portion of the electorate due to his long political struggle, efforts to rebuild party organization, and personal popularity. Rahmat Ali, a voter from Phultala, said,
“Ghulam Parwar is an educated and popular leader. He has acceptance in the area. His main contest will be with the BNP candidate, but I believe his chances of winning are higher this time.”
A Leader Who Endured 17 Years of Repression
For nearly 17 years, Ghulam Parwar has remained active in politics despite sustained repression, legal cases, imprisonment, and various forms of pressure. Local Jamaat leaders claim that during this difficult period, he not only sustained his own political role but also played a crucial part in strengthening the organizational foundation of Jamaat-e-Islami at a time when the party was severely weakened.
Party sources say that due to his involvement in opposition politics, he was arrested multiple times, spent long periods in prison, and remained under constant surveillance. On June 30, 2010, he was arrested from a procession in Khulna and remained incarcerated continuously for five years. Even after that, he was detained on three to four more occasions. Despite this, his supporters maintain that he never deviated from his political ideology.
Political Identity and Rise
Miah Ghulam Parwar was born on September 8, 1959, in Shiromoni village of Phultala upazila in Khulna district. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Commerce degrees in Accounting from B.L. College in Khulna. After completing his education, he worked as a college teacher and was also involved in journalism.
His political career began through student politics. In 1974, he joined JASAD Chhatra League and became active in student movements. Later, in 1975, while still a student, he joined Jamaat’s affiliated student organization. Over time, he served as Secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Khulna city unit.
As part of his long organizational journey, he served as Ameer of Khulna Metropolitan Jamaat from 1996 to 2011. From 2012 until November 2016, he held the position of Central Assistant Secretary General. In November 2016, he was appointed Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami and remained in that role until December 2019. He is currently serving as the party’s Secretary General. He has also served as President of the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Federation.
Electoral History and Khulna–5 Constituency
Khulna–5 holds particular significance in Ghulam Parwar’s political career. In the Eighth National Parliamentary Election in 2001, he was elected Member of Parliament from Khulna–5 on a Jamaat-e-Islami ticket. However, he was defeated in the same constituency in the 1991 and 2008 elections.
Later, in the Eleventh National Parliamentary Election in 2018, he contested again from Khulna–5 as a candidate of the 20-party alliance but failed to secure victory.
Many observers see the upcoming election as a crucial turning point in his political career. After a long period, his renewed presence in active field politics and efforts to revive party organization have once again placed him at the center of attention.
Grassroots Politics and Voter Sentiment
Visits to Phultala and Dumuria suggest that Jamaat leaders and activists are actively engaged in election campaigning. From villages to marketplaces, they are reaching out to voters. Many local voters say that despite being out of power for a long time, Ghulam Parwar has maintained regular contact with the area.
A voter from Dumuria, speaking on condition of anonymity, said,
“Many leaders visit the area only during elections. But we have seen Ghulam Parwar even during times of crisis. People take this into account.”
However, political analysts caution that the contest with the BNP candidate is expected to be extremely close. National political dynamics, voter turnout, and last-minute developments are likely to play decisive roles in determining the outcome.
Controversial Remarks and Political Criticism
Ghulam Parwar’s political career has not been free from controversy. On December 14, 2025, during a discussion organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, he claimed that during the 1971 Liberation War, it was not the Pakistani army but Indians who killed the intellectuals on December 14.
At the discussion, he stated,
“For a long time, leftist and Kolkata-centric intellectuals and pro-Indian groups have blamed Jamaat-e-Islami for the killing of intellectuals. However, various historical facts and truths that have since emerged prove that these killings were part of a planned conspiracy by Indian forces and intelligence agencies.”
His remarks drew criticism from various quarters and added another dimension to the political debate surrounding his candidacy.
What Analysts Say About the Election Outcome
Political analysts believe that the Khulna–5 election is not only about Ghulam Parwar as an individual but also serves as a test of Jamaat-e-Islami’s organizational strength. After a long period, the party’s active participation in open electoral politics is seen as a major challenge.
Political analyst Professor Ekramul Haque said,
“Ghulam Parwar has personal popularity and recognition as a former Member of Parliament. However, national political dynamics, the electoral environment, and the strategies of rival parties will play decisive roles in the final result.”
Overall, political tension surrounding the February 12 election in Khulna–5 is at its peak. Armed with a long history of political struggle, organizational experience, and strong confidence from his supporters, Miah Ghulam Parwar has entered the race with determination.
Whether he emerges victorious or faces defeat once again will be decided on election day. What is certain, however, is that the Khulna–5 constituency is set to become a significant focal point in national political discussions during this election cycle.