Political Scenario in Khulna Division
AL, BNP to face problem to set candidates in 37 seats
32 of their bigwigs cannot back to scene
Both Awami League and BNP will face problem in fielding candidates in 37 parliamentary constituencies in Khulna division in the upcoming December 18 election as at least 32 influential leaders of the two parties are not in a position to stage a comeback ahead of the polls, sources in the parties said.
They are either in jail or hiding since the emergency to escape arrest.
BNP in the area faces the worst situation since the 1/11 changeover. Some of its top leaders were arrested in connection with different cases and are still in jail and many others went into hiding to evade arrest. Some others have been convicted for different terms on various charges.
The situation is no better for Awami League as some of its top leaders were also arrested and some others are absconding.
Jamaat is in a comparatively better position in Khulna division since the 1/11.
The convicted and absconding BNP leaders in Khulna division are former mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Sheikh Tayebur Rahman; former lawmakers Ali Asgar Lobi of Khulna-2, MAH Selim alias Silver Selim of Bagerhat-3, Habibul Islam Habib of Satkhira-1, Kader Shikder of Narail-1, Shahidul Islam of Kushtia-2, Kazi Salimul Huq Kamal of Magura-2, Masud Arun of Meherpur-1, Mashiur Rahman of Jhenaidah-2, Shahidul Islam Master of Jhenaidah-3, Shahiduzzaman Beltu of Jhenaidah-4, Abdul Wahab of Jhenaidah-1 and influential BNP leader and former minister Tariqul Islam, also a former lawmaker from Jessore-3,
Convicted and absconding former Awami League lawmakers in the area are Mostafa Rashidi Shuja of Khulna-4, Sheikh Helaluddin of Bagerhat-1, Prof Rafiqul Islam of Jessore-2.
Besides, ex-lawmaker from Satkhira-5 Gazi Nazrul Islam of Jamaat is now on bail as an accused in a corruption case. Former lawmaker of Islami Oiykko Jote (IOJ) Mufti Shahidul Islam elected from Narail-2 is in jail after conviction in a corruption case.
Apart from these convicted and absconding leaders of AL and BNP, ex-whip Ashraf Hossain, Chatra Dal central president Azizul Bari Helal, ex-lawmaker of Khulna-4 M Nurul Islam Dadu of Khulna BNP, Bagerhat district BNP secretary Shamsul Alam Talukder are inactive in politics due to intra-party squabbles.
Central leader of BNP's labour front Sramik Dal BM Bakir of Narail is in jail in connection with a corruption case.
Under this circumstances, BNP and Awami League will face serious problems in getting eligible and credible candidates in the 37 constituencies in Khulna division for the upcoming parliamentary elections, political circles said.
Of course, AL leaders see no problem in fielding candidates in Khulna and Bagerhat districts. They said they have many other party men who are quite fit as candidates to win the parliamentary polls against BNP and Jamaat.
Asked, Khulna district BNP president Sheikh Harun-ar-Rashid said Awami League is an old party with many leaders and activists and supporters at grassroots level.
“We have no problem whatsoever in getting more than one candidate in any of the constituencies in Khulna division”, he said.
Expressing the same view Bagerhat district AL secretary KamruzzamanTuku said his party candidates will win the polls race as people are annoyed with BNP and Jamaat for their 'misrule' in last five years.
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