Election 2008Internal Feud In Local Bnp

Saifur may find it tough to retain Sylhet-1 seat

28 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Iqbal Siddiquee, Sylhet

With long-standing internal feuds unresolved in local BNP during the election campaign, four-party alliance candidate former finance minister M Saifur Rahman may find it difficult to retain Sylhet-1 seat. With 4,23,278 registered voters, the constituency comprising Sylhet City Corporation and Sadar upazila sees Saifur Rahman and grand alliance candidate Awami League leader AMA Muhith as the front-runner contestants. During her Sylhet visit on December 12, BNP chief Khaleda Zia asked all concerned to bury the old hatchets but the move failed, a number of party insiders said. The internal feud went open after the BNP-led four-party alliance came to power in 2001. Three other BNP lawmakers in the region, including M Ilyas Ali, went against Saifur and his son former lawmaker Naser Rahman. This time Saifur put more emphasis on Sylhet-1 than his home seat Moulvibazar-3 but a strong faction with many of his trusted people including former district BNP president MA Haque refrained from taking part in his election campaign. On the other hand, grand alliance nominee AMA Muhith and his party men seem somewhat satisfied as they managed an organised campaign with the partners. Sylhet city mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran also joined Muhith's campaign. They focused on the low-income people and slum dwellers, considered as supporters of AL in the area. As this correspondent talked to a number of voters in Sylhet-1 constituency, most of them said they are optimistic about a qualitative change in December 29 election. At least there would not be any fake vote as there is voter list with photos and strict arrangement, they said, adding that they are hopeful about electing a capable candidate to make the area developed and violence-free. The women and the new voters are also very keen to cast their votes to elect a 'capable' person who would be able to contain crimes and give a patient hearing to their words. “We prefer a good candidate who will be able to provide us with social security and solve our problems,” said Anwara Begum, a housewife of Shahjalal Upashahar. “Some youngsters backed by party leaders had turned the Upashahar area a crime zone through extortion and vandalism before the 1/11 changeover. Nothing could be done against the few gangs backed by political leaders,” said the 60-year-old woman. “We are happy to get listed as voters and we will exercise our right to franchise for a suitable candidate who will come forward to solving our problems,” said Abdul Hannan Rubel, a new voter staying at the city's Mirer Maidan. Talking to the newsmen, BNP leader Saifur Rahman said, “I had done a lot in Sylhet region. I need another term to finish the incomplete task.” Grand alliance candidate AL stalwart AMA Muhith told the reporters, “I will work to eliminate violence and make the city a clean one, if elected. We have a plan to introduce facilities for the low-income people. We will also develop the educational institutions and health establishments in the constituency.”