Dr Kamal may contest from Khaleda’s Feni constituency

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Rafiqul Islam, Feni
Published : 14:45, Nov 11, 2018 | Updated : 17:54, Nov 11, 2018

Jatiya Oikya Front chief Dr Kamal Hossain is likely to contest in the upcoming national election from Feni-1 constituency, the hometown electoral seat of incarcerated BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Several Oikya Front leaders have hinted at the possibility since the BNP chief is currently serving a 10-year jail term in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Besides, Dr Kamal is likely to contest from a seat with less risk of losing. Feni-1 has been a BNP stronghold as Khaleda’s paternal home is in Fulgazi, one of the four Upazilas that comprises the constituency.

Former premier Khaleda has been elected member of the parliament from this seat on five straight occasions since 1991. Although her participation in the polls is doubtful, local BNP leaders in Feni are hopeful that their party chief will be able to contest.

If she is unable then Dr Kamal or any other candidate with BNP’s electoral symbol is expected to win a landslide, they believe.

“Several BNP leaders have floated the idea before Dr Kamal Hossain to contest from Feni-1 or a seat in Bogura,” Gana Forum Joint General Secretary AHM Shafiullah told Bangla Tribune.

“However, an official decision on the matter hasn’t been taken yet,” added Shafiullah.

The current member of parliament of Feni-1 is JaSad leader Shirin Akhter, who won the seat uncontested in the 2014 election. Local JaSad leaders consider her to be a heavyweight candidate who will be vying to be re-elected while a number of ruling Awami League leaders are looking forward to securing party nomination to contest for the seat.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s former protocol officer, Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim, is among the leaders seeking nomination for Feni-1.

Nasim told Bangla Tribune that he is ready to contest with AL electoral symbol if the party chief approves his nomination bid.

“The constituency is no more a BNP stronghold,” he claimed before adding that rather it has become a stronghold of the Awami League. 

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