The Awami League unit of Shibganj municipality in Chapainawabganj is now divided in two camps after the centre decided to nominate an election candidate who reportedly does not have the confidence of the grassroots members.
When the ruling party gave its nomination to inactive leader Moyen Khan, it came as a surprise to local grassroots leaders who voted for Karibul Haq Rajin, who had lost his legs during an attack by BNP-Jamaat men, to be the mayoral candidate in the upcoming municipal polls.
Rajin became popular in the area after he helped organise and rebuild party activities after Jamaat-BNP activists attacked and vandalised houses of party men in reaction to the death sentence handed to war criminal Delwar Hossain Sayeedi on February 28, 2013.
Five people lost their lives in the attacks, 20 more had their leg veins severed, and the Kansat Palli Bidyut Samity office was burned to the ground. Many AL leaders were also forced out of the area, which has dominant presence of the BNP-Jamaat alliance.
Although Rajin won the confidence and vote from the party grassroots, district AL President Moinuddin Mondol and General Secretary Abdul Wadud recommended Moyen for party candidacy.
The centre’s endorsement, however, was protested by local lawmaker Golam Rabbani and upazila AL General Secretary Ataur Rahman.
Ataur alleged that Moyen had been sitting safely in Rajshahi during the 2013 Shibganj attacks instead of standing beside his party men. He also blamed the district leaders of showing favouritism to Moyen.
The AL-nominated Moyen, however, told the Dhaka Tribune that he has full support of his party men. He added that no one would extend their support to a rebel candidate by defying the centre’s decision.
Rajin, who also submitted his nominations papers on Thursday, said the party had not considered local popularity when picking its candidate. He expressed hopes that party President Sheikh Hasina would intervene to amend the situation.
