BNP tickets in Barisal spark protest

Mosharref Hossain Shahjahan to run independent

2 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Grassroots BNP leaders in Muladi upazila under the district yesterday expressed sharp reaction over nomination of candidates, saying that the party high command fielded unpopular candidates in their constituencies depriving dedicated and acceptable leaders. More than five hundred agitated BNP activists of Muladi upazila led by Abdus Shukkur Khan, convener, Prof. Shariatullah, Mohsin Reza, Kazi Kamal, joint conveners of the upzila BNP, forming human chain in the upazila town demanded cancellation of nomination to Begum Selima Rahman for Barisal-2 (Babuganj- Muladi). The participants of the programme opined that Begum Selima Rahman was from Babuganj while the number of voters in Muladi is 20% more than those of Babuganj. However, they called for BNP nomination to Advocate Joynul Abedin, central BNP law affairs secretary and a man of Muladi instead of Begum Selima Rahman, central BNP leader and former BNP minister or Mosharraf Hossain Mongu who is from Muladi. Mongu is central BNP organizing secretary and four times winner MP. On the other hand Mosharref Hossain Shahjahan, former BNP lawmaker of Bhola-1 constituency (district headquarters) and minister became independent candidate for this term after denied nomination against Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha, son of BJP founder chairman late Naziur Rahman Monju. Shahjahan issuing an open letter to party chairperson through press explained his status and begged apology from Khaleda Zia for submitting nomination as an independent candidate. He told The Daily Star that being elected as lawmaker and local government representative since 1965, he could not neglect the opinion and responsibility of his voters and grass roots leaders and also could not avoid the feelings of conscience.