Election 2008

Khagrachhari AL, BNP reject party nominees

7 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Jasim Majumder, Khagrachhari

From Left: Samiron Dewan, Daudul Islam, Zahedul Alam, Zatindra Lal

Leaders and activists of Awami League and BNP in Khagrachhari are unhappy as both the parties have fielded new faces in the constituency in the upcoming national election. Nominees of both the parties are facing adverse situations as district committees declared them 'unwanted' and have decided to support rebel candidates. AL nominated Zatindra Lal Tripura while BNP fielded former chairman of Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) Samiron Dewan in the hill district constituency. Though Zatindra Lal Tripura is president of district AL, he was declared 'unwanted' after the nomination was announced. District AL secretary Mohammad Zahedul Alam, who submitted nomination papers as an independent candidate, enjoys support of majority of party leaders and activists, party sources said. Expressing frustration, district AL press secretary Prof Samir Datta Chakma said the grand alliance may lose the seat because of feud in the party, fuelled by nomination to Zatindra. Zahedul Alam would not have submitted nomination had the party central leaders taken into consideration opinion of majority party men, he said. Likewise, BNP high command has also chosen Samiron Dewan ignoring grassroots leaders suggestion. The grassroots leaders favoured former lawmaker Wadud Bhuiyan, or his nephew district Jubo Dal vice-president Md. Daudul Islam Bhuiyan. The suggestion was made at a party meeting held on November 28. Wadud Bhuiyan's nomination paper was cancelled as he is convicted to 20 years' imprisonment for amassing illegal wealth. Criticizing BNP decision, Wadud Bhuiyan's nephew Daudul Islam Bhuiyan said Samiron Dewan was nominated ignoring suggestion of grassroots leaders. “He (Samiron) is not even a member of district BNP nor of any of its front organizations”, Daud said. Terming nomination of Samiron a conspiracy, Daud express his determination to contest in the polls as an independent candidate, making BNP's hope to retain the seat uncertain.