AL leaders trying to get party’s tickets, BNP keeps mum

According to local sources, leaders and activists of the ruling party Awami League are lobbying heart and soul to get party’s nomination to contest as district council chairman. Many of them have already contacted with several central committee leaders to get nomination for the post. Shafiqul Alam Mona, Khulna district unit BNP general secretary, told the Dhaka Tribune that leaders and activists of the party were keeping mum because they were observing the entire situation. “We did not get any direction from party chief over the upcoming election,” he said. Shafiqul Islam Modhu, Khulna district unit Jatiya Party president, said: “The Jatiya Party will not take part in the upcoming election.” However, at least seven leaders of the party – Harun-or-Rashid, Dr Sheikh Baharul Alam, Sarfuddin Biswas Bacchu, Ashraful Alam Khan, Md Ali Akbar, Nurul Islam Badsha and Ajoy Sarkar – have application to central party office in Dhaka to get party’s nod to compete in the upcoming district council election. Awami league nomination expectants are spending very busy days with discussion meeting and rallies. They are trying to impress the voters along with the high command to get party nomination. Besides, others who want to participate in election against posts of councillors and reserved seats for women are also trying to impress Awami League district and city leaders to grab party nominations. Hoping to get party’s nomination again, present district administrator and Khulna district Awami League president Sheikh Harun Rashid said: “I think party will nominate me after evaluating my past’s work as district administrator.” Dr Sheikh Baharul Alam, president of Bangladesh Medical Association, Khulna, said: “I will take part in election if party nominates me.” When contacted, Mohammad Habibur Rahman, senior election officer of Khulna, said: “We sent final voter list to secretariat on Sunday. There are a total of 970 voters in the list.” He said: “We have enlisted Khulna City Corporation Mayor Md Moniruzzaman Monir as voter along with 31 city councillors and 10 councillors of reserved seats for women.” Local sources said leaders and activists of the BNP would get involved in electioneering soon, because they were hopeful after Moni had been reinstated as Khulna mayor following High Court’s order.