Election 2008

Big Two miss Moulvibazar-2

BNP rebel, JP man set to make hay

5 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Rajat Kanti Goswami, Moulvibazar

There is no candidate of Awami League and BNP in Moulvibazar-2 (Kulaura and four union of Kamalganj) constituency in the coming national election. Nomination paper of AL nominee Ataur Rahman Shamim has been cancelled due to loan default and that of BNP's Advocate Abed Raja for error. Their nomination papers were cancelled during scrutiny on Thursday. Drama was being staged over party nomination in the seat by the two major parties from the beginning of process. Despite demand from local party men, AL did not give nomination to its central organising secretary Sultan Md Monsur Ahmed. Locally unknown UK expatriate Ataur Rahman Shamim got AL nomination, which evoked a sharp reaction from the aprty rank and file. Party men opposed his nomination and declared to resist him. BNP also nominated newcomer Abed Raja instead of former lawmaker from the JS seat MM Shahin, which was rejected by a major portion of BNP leaders and activists. Party men vowed to remain with Shahin if he runs independent. Shahin filed his nomination paper as an independent candidate. Amid such a drama, the Returning Officer cancelled nomination of AL nominee Ataur Rahman Shamim and BNP nominee Abed Raja. Now the two major parties do not have any candidate in the constituency. Both Shamim and Abed Raja said, they would appeal against the decision of the returning officer. However, sources said, after cancellation of nomination of AL nominee, JP (Erashad) nominee and former MP (1991) Nawab Ali Abbas Khan may get grand alliance ticket. So AL men loyal to Sultan Monsur are happy and they are ready to work for JP leader and grand alliance nominee Nawab Ali Abbas Khan. BNP rebel candidate Shahin is also in good position following cancellation of nomination of BNP nominee Abed Reja. There are four candidates in the seat. They are Nawab Ali Abbas Khan (JP), MM Shahin (BNP rebel), Maolana Bodor Uddin (Khelafat Mojlish) and Askir Miah (Muslim League).