Sylhet City Corporation Polls
Too many aspirants worries AL supporters
Awami League (AL) is yet to decide about giving green signal to a single candidate in mayoral polls in Sylhet City Corporation (SCC). The part rank and file and supporters are worried with six aspirants. Nomination of all the seven aspirants were found valid during scrutiny by the Election Commission. One of them-- Sylhet district AL secretary Iftekhar Hossain Shamim withdrew his candidature yesterday afternoon. Without going into details, Shmaim said, “I have withdrawn my candidature so that a single man can run in the polls race from AL camp”. Deputy Election Commissioner Khondaker Mizanur Rahman, also the returning officer for SCC polls, confirmed his withdrawal in the evening.. Elderly AL leader Dewan Farid Gazi, however, may be the last choice, a number of party men said while talking to this correspondent yesterday. But, a faction in the party still believe, if allowed, incumbent mayor Badruddin Ahmed Kamran (now detained) would be the best choice since they have a good base. Kamran is in jail, facing three cases. Among them, charge sheet in a case filed by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) for allegedly amassing wealth through illegal means may be submitted soon, ACC sources said. Meantime, Gazi had an exclusive meeting Monday night at his house with mayor candidates district AL secretary Iftekhar Hossain Shamim, former lawmaker Inamul Haque Chowdhury Bir Protik and city AL secretary Misbah Uddin Siraj to decide on a single candidate. District AL chief ANM Shafique, Iqbal Ahmed Chowdhury and Luthfur Rahman were also present at the meeting. City AL secretary Misbah Siraj, also a mayoral candidate, told The Daily Star yesterday, “We are trying to select one, but things depend on central decision. Presidium will sit over the matter within a day or 2”. Besides, the Muktijoddha Sangsad has called upon the party men to work for former AL lawmaker and former chief of district Muktijoddha Sangsad Inamul Haque Chowdhury Bir Protik in the mayoral polls. They made the appeal saying, the freedom fighters would not support any corrupt man in the SCC polls. “Yet things will depend on whether mayor Kamran would be able to contest or not”, said a number of senior leaders yesterday. But many among the party leaders and activists have already taken stance against Kamran. They are actively trying to go ahead with Dewan Farid Gazi. But, it will be a troublesome job for elderly Gazi to run in the responsibility of a mayor, if elected, a number of party insiders feel. On the other hand, another former Sylhet pourashava chairman Babrul Hossain Babul is also an aspirant for AL support in the mayoral polls. He also claims blessing from the central leaders as well as from many of the local leaders. He is also cashing in on the 'too many AL men' in the race. “How local leaders will decide about me since they themselves have already filed nomination papers?”he said. But, district AL general secretary Iftekhar Hossain Shamim city AL secretary Misbah and Vice-president Jahir Chowdhury Sufian had hinted they would quit if Kamran or Gazi is given the green signal.
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