Moulvibazar-2

AL's Shamim gets back ticket thru' HC order

Starts campaign defying party decision

16 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Moulvibazar

Ataur Rahman Shamim

Finally Ataur Rahman Shamim of Awami League has got back his candidature for Moulvibazar-2 (Kulaura and 4 unions of Kamalganj) in a High Court order. Following the cancellation of his nomination by the Election Commission the Awami League-led Grand Alliance has nominated Jatiya Party leader Nawab Ali Abbas Khan as its candidate for the seat. After the High Court verdict Shamim has vowed to continue his campaign with "Boat" symbol defying the party high command's decision. Earlier, Returning Officer (RO) of Moulvibazar had cancelled his nomination paper during scrutiny on charges of his being a bank loan defaulter. Later he had filed appeal to the Election Commission and after hearing, the EC had upheld the decision of the RO. Then, Shamim challenged the EC decision in the High Court. On December 15, the HC heard the matter and ordered the EC to accept his nomination paper. In the meantime, AL has given the seat to JP candidate Nawab Ali Abbas Khan as Grand Alliance nominee. Local AL leaders and workers have accepted the party high command's decision and are now working for the JP leader. After getting the High Court verdict, Ataur Rahman Shamim took to the streets and started his campaign with 'Boat' symbol. He also brought out a procession in Kulaura town on Monday. Shamim is now ignoring the decision of AL high command and has declared to continue his campaign with the polls symbol 'Boat'. Moulvibazar district AL leaders told this correspondent that Shamim has been asked to stop campaign in favour of JP nominee Nawab Ali Abbas Khan.