Election 2008 Hectic Campaign In C'nawabganj-1

Kansat 'hero' Rabbani obstacle to bigwigs

22 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Rabiul Hasan, C'nawabganj

With tough contest looming large in vital Chapainawabganj-1 (Shibganj) constituency, all the three prospective candidates are passing time amid hectic campaign. District BNP President former lawmaker Prof Shahjahan Mia, district Awami League President Brig Gen (retd) Enamul Haque and Gono Forum candidate Golam Rabbani, the popular leader of 'Kansat movement' during the four-party alliance government, are contesting here. BNP candidate Shahjahan Mia, five times lawmaker from the constituency, won the seat by defeating AL leader Enamul Haque by 11,833 votes in 2001 parliamentary election. But after 1/ 11 changeover last year, Shahjahan was accused in five extortion cases, arrested and remained in jail custody for 18 months. He lost much of his popularity during the last couple of years, said several locals. Enamul Haque was defeated in 2001 poll battle, but he continued maintaining close contact with the local people and party activists and now has a good position in his constituency. However, Kansat movement leader Golam Rabbani is likely to appear as a big barrier for the two candidates from major political parties. Good reputation for his social work and popular image for 'Kansat movement' is Rabbani's main advantage. Local people said, in 2006 when movement for palli bidyut (rural electrification) in Kansat was in full swing under the leadership of Golam Rabbani, 17 people were killed in police action. A large section of local people held former lawmaker Shahjahan Mia responsible for allowing police atrocities against local people that time. Rabbani is likely to get support from a section of supporters of BNP, Awami League and a few other parties. Floating voters may also favour him.