Heaven is in Allah’s Hands, Not Politicians, Declares Abdul Awal Mintu

In a robust opening to his election campaign, Abdul Awal Mintu, Vice-Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has issued a stern warning against the use of religious manipulation in the political arena. Speaking to a large gathering at the Orphanage Bazar in Yakubpur Union this Thursday, Mintu addressed reports of rival candidates allegedly promising divine rewards in exchange for votes.

Challenging Religious Exploitation

Mintu, who is contesting the Feni-3 (Sonagazi-Daganbhuiyan) constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, expressed his outrage at door-to-door campaigns targeting female voters with spiritual ultimatums.

“Our opponents are visiting homes and telling our mothers and sisters that voting for a specific symbol will guarantee them a place in Heaven,” Mintu stated. “I must clarify: Heaven is in the hands of Allah alone, and no one else. The ticket to Paradise is granted by the Almighty, not issued by a political party.”

Feni-3 Constituency: Electoral Snapshot

Warning Against Data Scams

Beyond the ideological debate, Mintu raised the alarm regarding a “well-planned conspiracy” involving the illegal collection of personal data. He warned residents that certain individuals are moving through villages under false pretences to harvest National ID (NID) details and mobile banking (bKash) numbers.

“Do not hand over your private information to anyone,” he urged the crowd. “This is a trap designed to compromise your security and your vote. Protecting your franchise is not just a civic duty; it is a constitutional obligation.”

A Day of Grassroots Mobilisation

Mintu’s first day of campaigning was a marathon of public engagement. He began the morning in his ancestral village of Alaiyapur, where he offered prayers at his parents’ graves. His route took him through several key locations, including Talitala, Etimkhana Bazar, and the Dewan Shah Shrine, before concluding with a series of rallies in the afternoon at Faziler Ghat and Makbul’s Tax area.

Focusing on the significant influence of the female electorate in Daganbhuiyan and Sonagazi, Mintu encouraged local elders to mobilise women to vote for the Paddy Sheaf symbol. He pledged that his tenure would focus on four pillars of development:

Healthcare: Modernising local clinics and ensuring access for all.

Education: Upgrading school infrastructure in rural unions.

Sports & Culture: Establishing facilities to engage the youth.

Infrastructure: Improving market access for local traders.

The campaign trail in Feni-3 is already heating up, with Md. Fakhruddin, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate, also launching his bid on the same day. As the candidates traverse the district, the rhetoric surrounding religious integrity and data security is expected to remain at the forefront of the electoral discourse.