BNP-Jamaat stand-off in Satkhira-3 over ticket
BNP leaders say they will resist Jamaat man if nominated
L-R: Maulana Riasat Ali and Principal Ali Ahmed
BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, two main partners in 4-party alliance, are in s face-off situation in Satkhira-3 (Assassuni upazila) constituency over nomination in the upcoming parliamentary election. Jamaat leader Maulana Riasat Ali was elected from the constituency (Assassuni upazila) as an alliance candidates in 2001. Nomination seekers from the two alliance partners have started pre-polls campaign, raising tension among local party men. The rift surfaced when several BNP leaders started election campaign, opposing Jamaat's candidature and demanding alliance ticket to a party man. They also urged the party high ups not to 'surrender' the seat to Jamaat, claiming that Riasat Ali lost his image as he failed to fulfill his 2001 election pledges. Three front ranking BNP leaders have already started campaign. They are Principal Ali Ahmed, Assassuni upazila BNP convenor Rafiqul Islam influential party leader advocate Barun Biswas. All the three nomination seekers, along with their loyal party men, attended BNP representatives' conference held on October 25 at a community centre in the town. They said they will resist Riasat Ali if his nominated. “Ahead of last election, Riasat Ali pledged to develop the Satkhira- Assassuni road but it is now a death trap for lack of renovation,” Principal Ali Ahmed told this correspondent after the meeting. Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman was elected from the seat in 1996. BNP leaders held at least over 12 meetings the area in about a month, party sources said. Jamaat leaders are also holding rallies in favour of Riasat Ali. Barun Kumar Biswas said Riasat Ali also lost confidence BNP leaders and activists as he ignored them during his tenure. Satkhira district Jamaat Ameer Muhaddes Abdul Khaleque refuted the allegation of dispute between Jamaat and BNP in the area. On contact, Riasat however claimed that he did a lot of development work and deserves alliance nomination this time also.
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