Tug-of-war for ticket in Satkhira-1

BNP vows not to surrender it to Jamaat

27 November 2008, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Satkhira

Difference between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami is widening in Satkhira over nomination in Satkhira- 1 (Tala-Kalaroa) constituency, won by district BNP convener Habibul Islam Habib in 2001 election. Habib's nomination has become uncertain as Jamaat central Shura member Md Ijjat Ullah is vying for alliance ticket from the constituency. The feud intensified yesterday as local BNP leaders and activists at a meeting held on its office premises demanded nomination of Habib. Former BNP lawmaker Habib faces at least five cases including one for alleged involvement in the murder of Tala upazila BNP president ABM Altaf Hossain. Habib came to Satkhira on November 14 after 22 months when he got bail from High Court. The BNP meeting with Kalaroa upazila BNP president Prof Bazlur Rahman in the chair was addressed by, among others, district BNP member-secretary Samsuzzoha Babu and leaders of the party and its front organizations. The speakers said they will not surrender the seat to Jamaat and no one but Habib will be acceptable to them in the constituency. They demanded Habib's nomination. Meanwhile both BNP and Jamaat are campaigning for their candidates.However Habib claimed that there is no reason to 'drop' him since the alliance is still in force. “This is the only BNP seat in Satkhira district. I think, Jamaat candidate Ijjat Ullah will not vie for nomination for the sake of existence of the alliance here”, Habib said while talking to this correspondent yesterday. “I was implicated in several cases by vested quarters to tarnish my image to keep me out of politics. I am innocent”, he said.A top Jamaat leader seeking not be named said Jamaat will seek the 4-party alliance ticket from the constituency as Habib failed to fulfill his 2001election pledges. “If the alliance intends to retain the seat, there is no alternative to nominating Jamaat leader Ijjat Ullah”, claimed the Jamaat leader. On contact Jamaat central leader Ijjat Ullah said if he is nominated by the BNP led alliance he will be able to retain the seat.