Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Wednesday said the party candidates who have quit the election race in some places will face action.
“It is not a party decision. They might be acting primarily for attention or they might have received influence from someone. Action will be taken against those who are withdrawing their candidacy,” said Quader, who is contesting the polls from the Rangpur-3 constituency.
Talking to reporters in Rangpur Medical College area on Wednesday afternoon, the JaPa chairman said he is confident that all of his party’s candidates contesting from the six constituencies of Rangpur will emerge victorious if the January 7 polls are free and fair.
“The Awami League says it has gained more popularity than the Jatiya Party in Rangpur. Let them contest the election after resigning from power, and then we will see which party is more influential here,” he added.
In this election, JaPa had announced candidates for 265 seats. The party later entered into an agreement with the ruling Awami League for 26 of these seats.
So far, at least 19 JaPa candidates have withdrawn from the election race, with five announcing their decisions yesterday.
They are Sohrab Hossain of Chuadanga-1 and Rabiul Islam of Chuadanga-2, Sabbir Ahmed of Sylhet-5, Ataur Rahman Sarker of Gaibandha-5, and Dr Mostafizur Rahman Akash of Mymensingh-3.
Earlier, five more candidates announced their withdrawal from the election on Tuesday. They are Abdul Mannan Talukdar of Sunamganj-1, Shankar Pal of Habiganj-2, Mahbub Alam of Dinajpur-2, Zahirul Islam of Tangail-7, and Samsuddin Khan from Gazipur-4.
Most of the candidates reported non-cooperation of party central leaders, doubts about fair elections, pressure, and threats.
Others who quit the race are Iqbal Hossain of Barisal-2 constituency, Khalilur Rahman of Barguna-1, MM Niaz Uddin of Gazipur-1, Alauddin Mridha of Natore-4, Zakir Hossain of Sirajganj-3, and Chalauddin Khoka Molla of Narayanganj-4 constituency.
