Known Jamaat affiliates seek nominations from BNP-led alliance, as independents
Jamaat leaders are hopeful their efforts to uphold the 20-party alliance during the Awami League regime will clinch them nominations for all three Bogra constituencies
Men with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ties have collected nomination papers from BNP to contest the upcoming general election in two northern districts, after the Election Commission said anyone, even men or women from unregistered parties, can run for office with another party’s ticket or as independent candidates.
Last week, the commission’s Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said persons affiliated with the political party Jamaat-e-Islami, which has lost its registration, can contest in the upcoming election as independent candidates or with another party’s nomination.
“Even they can run with the symbol of any registered party, provided that they get the nomination from that party. A registered party can give anyone their nomination,” he said.
“So if a registered party wants, they can give their nomination to the members of an unregistered party as well,” Helaluddin added.
Bogra
Quoting Jamaat sources, our correspondent in Bogra reported that the party is fully prepared to field candidates in at least three constituencies of the district.
If BNP wants to field its own candidates in those constituencies, Jamaat will still a launch full-scale election campaign in at least two constituencies with independent candidates, the sources added.
Former MP of Bogra 2 constituency (Shibganj) and former ameer of Shibganj upazila unit Jamaat Mawlana Shahadatuzzaman collected his nomination form for Bogra 2 constituency, Kahalu upazila Chairman and former nayeb-e-ameer of Bogra district Jamaat Mawlana Tayeb Ali for Bogra 4 constituency (Kahalu-Nandigram), and Sherpur upazila Chairman and former Secretary of upazila Jamaat Mawlana Dabibur Rahman collected his nomination paper for Bogra 5 constituency (Sherpur-Dhunot).
Since 1991, Jamaat has been contesting the parliamentary polls under the BNP-led alliance. However, as the Election Commission had canceled the party’s registration, candidates from the party may run independently, according to Jamaat sources.
Even if they do not get nominations from the alliance for the constituencies, the candidates for Bogra 4 and 5 seats will stand independently, the sources said.
However, Jamaat leaders are hopeful their efforts to uphold the alliance during the Awami League regime will clinch them nominations for all three Bogra constituencies.
Former MP of Bogra 2 Mawlana Shahadatuzzaman hoped to get the nomination from the 20-party alliance, however, when asked what steps he would take if he cannot secure a nomination, Shahadutazzaman said: “There is no last word in politics. I will inform of my decision later.”
Mawlana Tayeb Ali, standing in Bogra 4, has collected his form as an independent candidate, so that he can still contest the polls and a win a seat for Jamaat even if he does not get the ticket from the alliance.
Meanwhile, candidate for Bogra 5, Mawlana Dabibur Rahman said he will inform of his decision regarding contesting the polls within a few days. However, his supporters said he will stand independently even if the 20-party alliance does nominate him.
Sirajganj
Two Jamaat leaders have collected their nominations forms as independent candidates from Sirajganj on Thursday.
Central Jamaat leader Rafiqul Islam Khan will contest Sirajganj 4 constituency (Ullahpara), while Nayeb-e-Ameer of Sirajganj Jamaat Prof Ali Alam will contest Sirajganj 5 constituency (Belkuchi-Chauhali).
