There is reported to be internal feud in AL and BNP in Jhenaidah-4 (Kaliganj and parts of Jhenaidah proper) over the nomination for the upcoming parliamentary election.
Kaliganj upazila AL is divided in three with the factions led by current MP and upazila general secretary, Anwarul Azim, former MP and upazila AL president, Abdul Mannan, and former Chhatra league president and member of central Jubo League, Mostafizur Rahman Biju.
The discord among the three is quite open.
Meanwhile, four persons from BNP have expressed interest: former MP and upazila BNP president Shahiduzzaman Beltu, senior joint general secretary of Shecchashebak Dal Saiful Islam Feroz, upazila BNP’s joint convener and former Chatradal leader Hamidul islam Hamid and noted businessman Harun Rashid Mollah.
Reportedly, there’s strife among the leaders. Meanwhile, supporters of the respective nomination seekers have already begun publicity.
There are 2 lakh 49 thousand 242 voters in Jhenaidah-4.
In 1991, 1996 and 2001, BNP’s Shahiduzzaman Beltu was elected while AL candidates, Abdul Manna won in 2008 and Anwarul Aazim in 2014.
Current MP, Anwarul Azim, says: “I am ready for election.”
Anyone can ask for nomination but when the PM declares the preferred candidate, there will not be any division, he asserts.
Former MP and upazila AL president, Abdul Mannan, who expects to get nomination, says: “the actual AL workers are with me.”
After the killing of Bangabandhu, BNP won this seat in all successive elections until I won it for AL in 2008, he observed.
He is also confident of winning if given the chance.
Noted industrialist, Tofazzol Hossain Babu, will also seek nomination; he has already started his campaign.
Current upazila vice president, Matiar Rahman Mati, is also a contender and carrying out campaigns.
On the other hand, despite friction, four time elected MP, BNP’s Shahiduzzaman Beltu, is in a strong position and his supporters feel that the seat can be won because he had done widespread development in the area.
However, everyone feels that the friction is temporary and everyone will unite behind the person nominated by the party.