Independent candidate Moniruzzaman Monir withdrew his candidature in support of Awami League candidate Shahjahan Omar Bir Uttam for Jhalakathi-1 (Rajapur-Kathalia).
Monir made this announcement in a press conference at Rajapur Upazila's Muktijoddha Convention Centre on Tuesday.
He said: "I was running as an independent for Jhalakathi-1, and now I am consciously and voluntarily withdrawing from this election for personal reasons. I urge my well-wishers and respectable voters to vote for Sheikh Hasina's Boat symbol in the next election on January 7.”
Earlier, Rajapur Upazila Awami League decided not to work for Shahjahan Omar in a meeting on December 18.
They decided to support Moniruzzaman, a strong rebel candidate contesting with the Eagle symbol.
Amir Hossain Amu, member of the Awami League's advisory board, called a reconciliation meeting in Barisal on December 20, after the news was reported in the media, to settle Shahjahan Omar's dispute with the Awami League leaders of Rajapur and Kathalia upazilas.
The Awami League leader Moniruzzaman withdrew his candidature from the election on December 26, five days after the meeting, and the party leaders came down to solicit votes for Shahjahan Omar.
Awami League party leaders and activists including district Awami League General Secretary Khan Saifullah Panir and Upazila Awami League President Khairul Alam Sarfraz were present.
