Election 2008Momtaz, Altaf Lose Hope In Bogra-6, 7

Khaleda cause of worries for grand alliance men

18 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Hasibur Rahman Bilu, Bogra

Khaleda Zia, Momtaz Uddin and Altaf Hossain

Grand alliance candidates in Bogra-6 and 7 constituencies have almost given up hope of winning the upcoming elections following candidature of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the seats. Awami League Bogra District president Md Momtaz Uddin is the grand alliance candidate in Bogra-6 (Sadar) constituency while in Bogra-7 (Gabtoli) constituency, Jatiya Party (JP) leader Altaf Hossain is contesting as the grand alliance nominee. In the last general election, Khaleda Zia defeated her nearest rival AL's Md Mahbub-Ul-Alam by over 22,350 votes in Bogra-6 constituency. Four party sources said they hope the party chairperson would secure at least 2,75,000 votes out of a total of 3,12,428 votes in Bogra-6 seat. While talking to this correspondent over cell phone, AL's Momtaz Uddin said he expects to bag about 1 lakh votes. When contacted grand alliance candidate JP's Altaf Hossain in Bogra-7 (Gabtoli) seat, said, 'I hope to secure honourable number of votes in the upcoming election.' A total of 3,71,382 people have been enrolled as voters in this constituency, said sources in Bogra Election Office. However, in Bogra-1 (Shariakandi-Sonatola) and Bogra-5 (Sherpur-Dhunat) constituencies, it will be difficult for the four-party alliance candidates to win the election due to internal feud in BNP, sources said. Because of nomination of a controversial candidate like Mohammed Shokrana in Bogra-1 constituency by four-party alliance, a large number of BNP activists including former Shariakandi upazila BNP secretary Ranju Kazi have already started campaigning for AL candidate Abdul Mannan. Local people expressed their dismay over nomination of Shokrana who was allegedly involved in criminal activities including killings. In such a situation, it will be difficult for four-party alliance to win the seat. BNP is divided into three factions in Bogra-5 constituency due to nomination of controversial candidate Jan-e-Alam Khoka of BNP. Former BNP lawmaker of the constituency Golam Mohammed Siraj and other party leaders including its Sherpur town president Mahbubur Rahman Haras and Shafiuzzaman Kakon did not lend support to Khoka. Meanwhile, AL leaders and activists are now working together in favour of the grand alliance candidate AL leader Habibur Rahman Habib. Because of fielding of weak candidates by grand alliance in rest three constituencies- Bogra-2, 3 and 4, BNP leaders and activists heaved a sigh of relief. Grand alliance nominated AL leader Golam Mowla will contest in Bogra-4, Jatiya Party (JP) leader Shariful Islam Jinnah in Bogra-2 and JSD leader Rezaul Karim Tansen in Bogra-3 constituency.