Jatiya Party activists and leaders appear to be divided over whether to work for the party-backed Dhaka North City Corporation mayoral candidate Bahauddin Ahmed Babul or ‘Independent’ aspirant Hajjaj Bin Musa.
Though most of the leaders are campaigning for Jatiya Party-backed candidate Babul, also a Presidium member, a large section of mid-level leaders are working for Hajjaj.
Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad removed Hajjaj, known as Boby Hajjaj, from the position of his special adviser as the latter announced his candidature, defying the party decision.
Jatiya Party Presidium member and Dhaka north unit President SM Faisal Chishty said those who were working for Hajjaj were not members of the party.
However, vice-president of the unit Nazimuddin Bhuiyan said: “Our candidate is only one — Boby Hajjaj. He is a gentleman and erudite. We like him. We’re working for him.”
Ershad on Mar 8 had named Bablu as hsi party backed Dhaka North City Corporation mayoral aspirant and Saifuddin Ahmed Milon as Dhaka South City Corporation contestant.
Thirteen days later Hajjaj announced his candidature at a press conference, prompting the party chief to ‘relieve him of the party responsibilities’.
The eldest son of controversial businessman Musa Bin Shamser, Hajjaj was the chief executive of Jatiya Party’s Research and Strategy Wing (JPRSW) and special advisor to party chief since 2013.
Jatiya Party central committee Vice-chairman Golam Maula Chowdhury said he was also campaigning for Hajjaj.
He told bdnews24.com: “It’s not a national election. It’s a local government election. There is no party or issue of (party) symbol here. One can work for any candidate in these elections if one considers him/her qualified.”
“I don’t find any problem here,” he said.
Chishty differed with Chowdhury’s contention. “How it’s a non-party election when the Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party named their candidates?” he questioned.
Source: bdnews24