In Magura, a quiet town in southwest Bangladesh, over a thousand people gathered outside an auditorium to see their hometown hero, Shakib Al Hasan. Hasan, a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s national cricket team, is running for a seat in the national parliament as part of the incumbent Awami League (AL) party’s election campaign. Amidst a crackdown on opposition activists and concerns about the legitimacy of the upcoming election, Hasan’s involvement in politics has sparked mixed reactions from the people of Magura.
Some criticize Hasan for being disconnected from his hometown and accuse him of arrogance and snobbery. They express dismay at the state of the upcoming election and question the popular support for Hasan in Magura. However, Hasan’s supporters argue that he is reaching out to the people and breaking the stereotype of an aloof and arrogant sports star.
The divide in opinions about Hasan’s political aspirations reflects the wider concerns about the upcoming election in Bangladesh. With opposition parties boycotting and accusations of government crackdowns on activists, many question the legitimacy of the electoral process. Amidst this backdrop, Hasan’s foray into politics has become a subject of debate and scrutiny, reflecting the complexities and tensions surrounding the national election in Bangladesh.