<i>Saifur's last desire in politics</i>

25 November 2008, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Moulvibazar

BNP stalwart M Saifur Rahman will contest from Moulvibazar-3 (Sadar and Rajnagar) constituency as the last polls race of his life. He has dismissed the possibility of his candidature from Sylhet-1 (Sylhet city and Sadar upazila). Saifur expressed his desire at a meeting of party men at his Baharmorden village home in Moulvibazar Sadar upazila Sunday evening. A Milad Mahfil was also held on the occasion. He told his party men that as the last desire of his life, he wants to contest from his birthplace Moulvibazar. He said, he requested 'Madam' (BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia) to contest from Sylhet-1. if she is unwilling, the party would field another candidate there, he told party men. The former minister said, sovereignty of the country is now under threat. Myanmar wants to snatch away our sea wealth. The caretaker government has no ability to protect this. Only a 'people's government' can do it. So, the upcoming election is very important for the nation. The country's economy is also in trouble due to absence of an elected government, he mentioned. Saifur said, "I was the senior most finance minister in Asia. I submitted the highest number of national budgets. During my period, there was more development work in Bangladesh than in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan". About his elder son Naser Rhaman, former lawmaker from Moulvibazar-3, Saifur said, “He (Naser) is not guilty but has been put to Jail. He did a massive development work for the people of Rajnagar upazila. A large number of BNP leaders and workers attended the meeting. They expressed satisfaction that finally Saifur has agreed to contest from Moulvibazar, instead of his son. Saifur was first elected from Moulvibazar in 1979 election. He was defeated by AL candidate Azizur Rahman in 1991 election but became a minister. In 1996 election, he defeated Azizur Rahman. In 2001 election, Saifur was elected from three seats, one in Moulvibazar and two in Sylhet. He vacated Moulvibazar-3 seat and retained Sylhet-1. Naser Rahman was elected from Moulvibazar-3 in a by-election, which was boycotted by Awami League. Some senior BNP leaders in Moulvibazar blamed Naser for his wrongdoings during 2001-2006. In the coming polls in Moulvibazar-3, Saifur will fight Awami League nominee Syed Mohsin Ali, who was three times chairman of Moulvibazar Pourasava.