Rebel candidates for mayoral posts in three municipalities in Chapainawabganj have put the Awami League, Jatiya Party and the BNP in a predicament.
Local leaders of the parties said the rebel candidates would not get votes and would also face actions for breaching discipline, but the candidates are continuing their campaigns.
There is no rebel candidate of the Awami League in Chapainawabganj municipality but two rebel candidates of the BNP – incumbent Mayor Abdul Matin and Ward 2 Vice-president Shahnewaz Khan Sina – will compete against Ataur Rahman, who has been fielded by the party.
Jamaat’s district unit Ameer Nazrul Islam has got the party ticket but the party’s former ameer of the municipality unit Abdus Sabur, who has submitted nomination paper, will compete against him.
Sources said Sabur will win party nomination if Nazrul quits the race eventually for any reason.
In Shibganj municipality, there is no rebel candidate of the BNP but Awami League-backed Moyen Khan has two rivals – Karibul Haque Razin, general secretary of Awami League’s municipality unit and incumbent Mayor Imani Ali.
Abdur Rashid Jhalu has been nominated by the Awami League for Nachol municipality polls and he will compete against rebel candidate Aslam Hossain.
Also, both the BNP and Jatiya Party candidates - Kamruzzaman and Towhidul Islam Shahin respectively – will vie against rebel candidates Amanullah Al Masud and Abdul Malek Mithu Chowdhury respectively.
The rebel candidates have been asked to withdraw their nominations but how many of them will finally comply remains to be seen.
