Election 2008

Grand alliance faces tough fight in Habiganj

26 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Iqbal Siddiquee, Sylhet.

In the 5th parliament Awami League had 2 out of 4 and in the 7th parliament they managed only one in Habiganj district, where as in the last 3 polls BNP got no seat in the district. This is why AL considers the Habiganj district as their stronghold. But, things may get different this time for reasons while the BNP-led alliance is also trying their best to end the AL's influence in the district. AL advisory body member and former state minister Dewan Farid Gazi is yet a strong candidate for his 3rd consecutive election from Habiganj-1 (Nabiganj and Bahubal) while the BNP led alliance has Sheikh Sujat Miah (15 February MP). Since the JP has none here, most of them are with Gazi. A faction of AL tried their best to get SAMS Kibria's son Dr. Reza Kibria here, but failed. There will be a tough fight between the AL and BNP men although 3 others are there on contest, a number of people said. AL has Advocate Abdul Mazid Khan in Habiganj-2 in place of 2001 lawmaker Nazmul Hasan Zahed. AL claims here Khan as the grand alliance candidate although the JP's Abid Ali Chowdhury did not withdraw yet. Chowdhury was earlier given the grand alliance ticket. This why the AL and the JP runner are in a little trouble while BNP led alliance has new face-Dr. Shakhawat Hossain Jibon. However, Moulana Abdur Rab Yousufi, Secretary General of central Khelafat Majlish is also causing much for the BNP man. Habiganj 3 (Sadar and Lakhai) was in the JP's capture during the 2 consecutive terms as Abu Lais Mobin Chowdhury was there. AL's SAMS Kibria recovered it in the 2001 polls defeating Chowdhury, who had BNP ticket that time. However, after the brutal killing of Kibria, Chowdhury won the by election, as AL boycotted. Again Chowdhury is 4-party man here this time. On the other hand, the AL has fielded Advocate Abu Zahir. AL's Enamul Haque Mostafa Shahid has a good base in Habiganj-4 (Madhabpur and Chunarughat) and he is in the contest for the 4th consecutive term. The grand alliance's man this time would have a tough fight from the 4-party alliance's Syed Mohammad Faisal, a former state minister. Former lawmaker Faisal had suffered much in the past elections due to his long-standing family rivalry with his brother another former state minister Syed Mohammad Kaiser. The alliance man is too active this time as Khaleda Zia negotiated the brothers' rivalry and asked them to ensure victory for the allianc. The grand alliance man was elected 5 times in this less developed constituency having 18 tea gardens. But development is yet to be witnessed here, locals alleged. All those developed the possibility of a tough fight in the area, a number of locals believe.