Dozens of ruling party men have started lobbying to get picked for the Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency in the upcoming national polls slated for January 7.
The seat that the Awami League did not contest in the 2014 election and giveaway to a key member of its alliance, Jatiya Party (JaPa), is now being targeted by other members of the alliance.
AH Salahuddin Mahmud, presidium member of Jatiya Party, wants to participate in the polls from Cox’s Bazar-1.
However, local Awami League leaders and activists say Anwar Hossain Manju’s JaPa has no political base in Chakaria and Pekua. Salahuddin was elected from the seat in 1986 and 1988, during the regime of former president Hussain Muhmmad Ershad. But since 1990, he was not seen on the ground. The local leaders of the ruling party will not accept him.
Awami League leader Jafar Alam was elected from the constituency in 2018. But since then there have been multiple allegations against him of torturing party leaders, illegally occupying land and shrimp farms. A large section of the ruling party is backing him to be picked in the upcoming polls.
The seat is vital to Awami League dominance as it was stronghold to BNP-Jamaat for a long time and still today—former state minister and BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed’s influence can be felt in the area. Salahddin and his wife were elected from the constituency for three consecutive terms since 1996.
Local leaders of the Awami League therefore think that this time a ruling party leader should vie for the seat and prove party’s acceptance among the local people.
District Awami League General Secretary Salah Uddin Ahmed CIP contested from the constituency in 1996 and 2008 and lost. He has sought nomination from the seat this time as well.
Challenging him for the seat is former district judge Aminul Huq. He has been visibly active in the area for the past few days.
Others seeking party candidature for the seat include former upazila chairman Rezaul Karim, Chakaria Upazila Chairman Fazlul Karim Sayeedi, district Awami League leder ATM Ziauddin Chowdhury, Rashedul Islam and Mohammad Ashraful Islam Sajeeb.
District Awami League President Faridul Islam Chowdhury told Dhaka Tribune that there are multiple party aspirants for the seat this time. But whoever is picked by the party high-ups—will get full support of other leaders and their supporters in the upcoming polls.
