Rebel Awami League candidates are ignoring the threat of expulsion and standing against ruling party nominees in several seats for the upcomin 11th national election, openly defying their own high command.
Although the AL has been striving to ensure only one party candidate contests each seat in the parliamentary election, the party and its alliance candidates are certain to have to face rebel candidates in some constituencies.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made her position on the rebels clear, saying they will face expulsion for life if they contravene party orders in the polls.
For his part, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader has told the media several times that all those violating this decision by the AL high-ups will have to face “dire consequences”, irrespective of their position in the party.
“There is no room for rebel candidates in Awami League and they will be expelled from Awami League forever,” he said on November 25. “Organizational steps will be taken immediately if anyone violates the party commands.”
Several senior leaders of Awami League have expressed their concern that the intra-party feuds are presenting a major challenge to the ruling party’s bid for re-election and have expressed hope that the rebel candidate problem will be solved.
The rebel candidates, however, appear to be paying no heed to the warnings.
Jessore
According to sources, in Jessore district Awami League General Secretary Shaheen Chaklader has stepped down from his upazila chairman post and filed his nomination papers for Jessore 3 and 6 constituencies. Kazi Nabil Ahmed and Ismat Ara Sadique have been nominated as party candidates for Jessore 3 and 6 constituencies respectively.
Jessore district unit’s Organizing Secretary Shaharul Islam submitted nomination papers to the district commissioner on November 28 on behalf of Shaheen Chaklader.
Chittagong
Awami League shared the Chittagong 2 seat with Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary, the chair of 14-party alliance partner Bangladesh Tarikat Federation.
He won the last election unopposed from the seat and will again contest the election with Awami League’s “boat” election symbol.
However, on November 28, Chittagong district north unit ATM Piarul Islam submitted his nomination papers as independent candidate
Naogaon
In Naogaon 2 constituency, the Awami League has nominated incumbent lawmaker Shahiduzzaman Sarker. Former Awami League central subcommittee member Aktarul Alam has submitted papers as an independent candidate after being overlooked for the nomination.
Barisal
Former Bangladesh Chhatra League central leader Syeda Rubina Akter will contest as an independent from Barisal 2 constituency after submitting her nomination papers to the assistant returning officer on November 28.
She was one of 11 aspirants for the AL ticket handed to former Bangladesh Chhatra League’s acting president, Md Shah Alam.
In Narayanganj 4, Awami League’s incumbent lawmaker has to face Awami League leader Kawser Ahmed Palsh.
Thakurgaon
Awami League has given the nomination for Thakurgaon 2 constituency to Yeasin Ali of its 14-party alliance member, the Bangladesh Workers party.
However, two local Awami League leaders not happy with the seat sharing arrangement - district Awami League Vice-President Imdadul Haque and Priganj upazila Awami League Joint General Secretary Gopal Chandra Roy - have filed nomination papers as independent candidates.
Elsewhere
Other Awami League aspirants submitting their nomination papers as independent candidates include former lawmaker Anowarul Haque in Manikganj 1, Jubo League leader Kutubullah Mia Kuti in Magura 1, Mostak Ahmed Ruhi and Earshadur Rahman Mintu in Netrokona 1, and Shafi Ahmed in Netrokona 2.
Also aiming for parliament as independents are incumbent lawmaker Abdur Rouf in Kushtia 4, incumbent reserved lawmaker Amatul Kibria Keya in Habiganj 1, Sunamganj district President Motiur Rahman in Sunamganj 4, former lawmaker Noni Gopal Mondal in Khulna 1, and Golam Haider in Pirojpur 1.
Elsewhere, Captain Moyazzem Hossain and AK Fazlul Haque’s grandson Faiyazul Haque Raju will go head-to-head in Barisal 2, while Ashraful Rahman, Anwar Hossain and Nazrul Islam will all fight it out in Pirojpur 3.
