Some MP and ministers are not compying with the decision of the high command of the party ahead of next Upazila Election. They’re announcing the names of the candidates as ‘My Man’ in their own localities. Hence, angst was created among many of the local leaders. The fear of conflict and violence is looming as the date of election is approaching near.
The upazila elections is going to be held on May 8 in 152 upazilas. For this, the MPs have announced the names of their favourite candidates in at least 50 upazilas. The most of them are kith and kins of the MPs or their loyal fellows. According to the political analysts, The center has decided not to give symbols to anyone, however some MPs-ministers are challenging the decision of the party high command by announcing the names of the upazila candidates. Party action should be taken against them.
According to the information, the Awami League high command is not giving symbols to anyone in anticipation of participation and competitive elections. But this decision is going to be hindered by the unnecessary activities of some MPs-ministers, as until now, the leaders and workers of other parties, except Awami League leaders and workers, have very little interest in participating in the party polls. In such ‘excess activeness’ of MPs-ministers, the instructions from the center are being ignored. The Awami League considers the nepotism or bias of some MPs to be excessive. In this context, Awami League's joint general secretary, agriculturist AFM Bahauddin Nasim told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “Our plan is to hold free, fair, acceptable, competitive and competitive elections. That is why the party president has decided not to give the symbol to anyone. But some MPs are supporting close people or relatives. Even if they support someone, it will not work as voting will be free and fair. There will also be competition. So there is no chance to install MP League or 'My Man'. They cannot force anyone. Everyone's excesses should be stopped with the upazila vote.”
Last Tuesday on the occasion of Independence and National Day, local MP, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibbur Rahman introduced Kalapara Upazila Chairman as a candidate in a discussion meeting organized by Kuakata Municipality and Municipal Awami League at the Youth Inn premises of Kuakata Tourism Center. He said about upazila election, “We have decided that we have announced the revolutionary general secretary of Awami League in upazila as a candidate for the upazila chairman from the party, from the Awami League. In addition to this, as the vice chairman of Upazila Awami League, Office Secretary of AL, Md Yusuf Ali has been nominated from the party.” With this announcement, he introduced the two in front of everyone present there. The mixed process has started at the local level.
On March 20, local MP Saimun Sarwar Kamal declared Upazila Awami League president Mahmudul Karim Maruf as a single candidate in Cox's Bazar Sadar Upazila. On that day, the local MP introduced Maruf as the upazila chairman candidate at the iftar party. On March 7, Rangpur MP Abul Kalam Mohammad Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury Duke introduced the current Badarganj Upazila Parishad Chairman Fazle Rabbi Sweet in a meeting at Kalupara Union of Badarganj Thana in Rangpur. At that time, he said, “Upazila elections are ahead and our meritorious son is gong to contest there. You have made him upazila chairman twice. Pray today, help tomorrow to support him” When everyone clapped, Duke said, “Alhamdulillah. There is nothing more to say.” A special extended meeting was called on February 28, excluding the president and general secretary of Madhupur Upazila Awami League of Tangail. The meeting was called by local MP and presidium member of Awami League, former Minister of Agriculture. Abdur Razzaq. In the extended meeting called on the occasion of the upcoming upazila elections, he announced Yakub Ali, the central leader's favorite, as the upazila chairman candidate. Similarly, in another upazila Dhanbari of his constituency, he announced his cousin Harunur Rashid as a candidate for the post of upazila chairman. This has created a dissent in the local Awami League.
Ashek Ali Omi, son of local MP Mohammad Ali in Hatiya of Noakhali, has informed the leaders and activists of the locality that he will be nominated in the upazila elections. That's why no one dares to be a candidate. Begumganj MP Mamunur Rashid Kiran's son Jihan Al Rashid is being nominated. MP's son's name is on the minds of party leaders and workers. Apart from those MPs-ministers who are publicly announcing candidates, many of them are supporting the candidates internally as the party does not give candidates, in most places the MPs are deciding who will be the upazila chairman and vice chairman. As the MPs are influential locally, it is believed that the candidates will not be able to benefit in many places by going outside the decision of the MPs. Since the party is not nominating anyone, the MPs-ministers are planning to make people's representatives by nominating sons, daughters, wives, brothers-in-law, nephews and other loyal people. If the ring of MPs-ministers cannot be broken, there will be an opportunity to win unopposed like in the past. Not only the MPs-ministers, but also the district and upazila top leaders are getting involved at the upazila elections. They are also adopting various strategies to nominate relatives.
In this regard, Awami League organizing secretary Sujit Roy Nandi told The Bangladesh Pratidin that the party president has given instructions so that the MPs cannot nominate anyone. This initiative has been taken to stop nepotism and bias. If an MP/minister declares his candidature ignoring the command of the party, it amounts to breach of discipline. Decision over this activities will be taken after discussing it in the party forum.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on March 30 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque Khan)
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