Promod Mankin and Afzal H Khan

A dual fight between Grand Alliance nominee former Awami League lawmaker Promod Mankin, only indigenous runner in Mymensingh region and BNP led four party alliance candidate Afzal H Khan is likely in Mymensingh-1 (Haluaghat-Dhubaura) in December 29 parliamentary election.
The unity of the adibasi voters could sail Mankin's "boat" again, say local observers. Mankin was elected from Mymensingh-1 seat in 1991 and 2001.
Earlier this constituency consisted of only Haluaghat Upazila but after fresh demarcation adjacent Dhubaura Upazila was included in the constituency.
In 2001 general election, Awami League (AL) candidate Advocate Promod Mankin won the seat (Haluaghat) defeating BNP candidate Afzal Khan.
In 1996, BNP candidate Afzal H Khan won the seat defeating AL's Promod Mankin.
Grand Alliance nominee Promod Mankin has a sympathy vote bank, as there are large number of indigenous voters in Haluaghat and Dhubaura. Mankin is likely to bag most of the adivasi votes. In last general election Mankin won the seat with a margin of some 6,000 votes.
There are 2,84,770 voters in Mymensingh-1 (Haluaghat-Dhubaura) constituency. Of them, some 25,000 are adivasi voters. The adding of Dhubaura Upazila with Haluaghat will bring more votes for " boat", hoped Promod Mankin.
Mankin pledged his voters that he will take initiatives to build embankment in the bordering areas to remove difficulties the people face to irrigate their crops in dry season.
Afzal H Khan promised to the voters that he will continue the development programmes of the past governments and will take initiatives to keep the law and order under control.