Election 2008Sherpur-1

Qamaruzzaman claims to be journalist in his affidavit

14 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Debashish Saha Roy, Sherpur

Muhammad Qamaruzzaman

Awami League candidate in Sherpur-1 (Sadar) constituency Atiur Rahman Atique who once introduced himself to voters as the son of a poor mother is no more poor. After being elected lawmaker for two consecutive terms Atique is now wealthy. In the upcoming parliament election he will spend Tk 10 lakh from his own fund. Four party alliance candidate in the seat Jamaat-e-Islami senior assistant secretary general Muhammad Qamaruzzaman's annual income and expenses are almost equal. Besides, he has a big amount of bank loan. As a result most part of his election expense would be met by donations from his relatives. These were found in the affidavits submitted by the two candidates attached with their nomination papers. Awami League sources said during election campaigns in 1996 and 2001 polls Sherpur district AL president and former MP Atiur Rahman Atique would project his simple lifestyle saying he is a man of modest wealth. But the scenario changed after 2001 elections. Atique earned huge wealth by selling two duty free vehicles he got in parliament members' quota and from other sources. In the affidavit submitted to the returning officer the former MP Atique said he would meet Tk 10 lakh of his election expenditure from own source. His wife, brother and local well wishers will give the rest Tk 4 lakh. In the affidavit Atique said he earns Tk 2.01 lakh from his profession. He got Tk two lakh by selling his cars. The anticorruption commission filed a case with Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on charges of concealing information regarding his wealth beyond income under Emergency Powers Rule 2007. In the affidavit he mentioned that the case is now under investigation. Four party alliance candidate in Sherpur-1 constituency Muhammad Qamaruzzaman in his affidavit mentioned that his annual income from different sources is about Tk 8.97 lakh and his annual expenditure is Tk 8.25 lakh. He mentioned journalism as his profession. In the affidavit Qamaruzzaman said his estimated cost of election would be Tk 14 lakh. He will spend Tk 2.50 lakh from his earnings (deposit and salary). He expects to get Tk 1.50 lakh from Jamaat-e-Islami. There is a case against the Jamaat central senior assistant secretary general Muhammad Qamaruzzaman with Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court. The High Court has stayed the proceedings of the case.