DHAKA: People of United Kingdom are waiting one more day to go to cast their ballots as general election opens on May 7.

This year, people in Bangladesh are relatively more interested to the UK election as a record number of 12 Bangladesh-origin UK leaders are contending in the polls.

Labour Party lawmaker Rushanara Ali, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, daughter of Sheikh Rehana and granddaughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Kingston University teacher Rupa Asha Huq, among others, were the prospective parliamentary candidates. These three leaders are contesting as Labour Party contestants in the poll.

Rushanara is seeking re-election from Bangali-dominated East London constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow while Tulip to fight for Hampstead and Kilburn parliamentary seat, and Rupa vying for Ealing Central and Acton.

Among the Bangladeshi decedent leaders, Rushanara is in forefront in the election battle while Tulip and Rupa is relatively in a good condition.



In Hampstead and Kilburn, Tulip is clearly ahead of other candidates. The latest data of Ashcroft National Poll survey showed that 48 percent voters support Tulip while 32 percent Conservative candidate Simon Marcus and 10 percent supports Maajid Nawaz of Liberal Democrat.

If Tulip makes the way she will be the second Bangladesh-origin leader to walk to UK parliament after Rushanara. However, she will face tough challenges in her constituency because Hampstead and Kilburn constituency has been considered one of the most competitive seats in this year’s poll. Conservative Party takes this constituency as ‘target seat’.

More Bangladesh-origin contenders are also vying in Thursday’s poll.

For Labour Party, Marina Ahmad from Beckenham and Ali Akhlakul Islam from Reigate and Banstead, Amram Hossain from North East Hampshire, and Anwar Babul Mia from Welwyn Hatfield, Suman Haque from Banff and Buchan constituency at Aberdeenshire of Scotland Council are running  for the election.

Mina Rahman is contesting for Conservative Party for Barking constituency.

Moreover, Prince Sadik Chowdhury from Northampton South constituency, Ashuhk Ahmed from Lupton South and Mohammad Sultan from Arfon constituency in Wales are contesting in the election for Liberal Democrat.

BDST: 1621 HRS, MAY 06, 2015
HB/RR