Photo: Daily Messenger
As Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday said the decision to allow party leaders to run as independent candidates in upcoming election was a strategic decision, the names of a number of popular leaders and former lawmakers surfaced in the scene – expressing their intentions to contest independently.
Although a section of the party insiders said the move was prompted by the BNP’s (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) decision to boycott the upcoming 12th parliamentary polls, others were, however, of the view that such a move might spark potential internal discord within the ruling party's ranks and profiles.
Reports obtained by The Daily Messenger indicate that in numerous constituencies, dissatisfied Awami League leaders are gearing up to challenge the party's officially endorsed candidates. This internal discord holds the potential to turn the January 7 general elections into a high-stakes showdown between the nominated ruling party candidates and the independent ones who failed to secure AL tickets.
In Dhaka-2 constituency, Keranigaj Upazila Chairman Shahin Ahmed declared to contest the upcoming general elections against his own party candidate, Advocate Quamrul Islam.
When contacted, Shahin Ahmed said, “Yes, I will contest the January 7 polls as an independent candidate, as our party chief Sheikh Hasina has already given the green signal that anyone can contest the polls independently.”
In Jessore-1 constituency, district AL joint secretary and municipality mayor Ashraful Alam Liton decided to contest the polls against party-nominated candidate Sheikh Afil Uddin. Similarly, in Jessore-2, district AL joint secretary and former MP, advocate Monirul Islam Monir, will contest as an independent candidate against the party-nominated candidate, Mohammad Towhiduzzaman.
Jannatul Ferdous, also known as Zhuma Talukdar, has purchased the nomination form for the Awami League from the Netrokona-1 (Kalmakanda-Durgapur) constituency. Among the 22 aspirants for this seat, she was the only female candidate. Recently, she resigned from the position of Chairperson of the Durgapur Upazila Parishad. However, having not received the party's endorsement, she has announced her intention to contest the election as an independent candidate.
Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon has announced his candidature as an independent candidate for the Habiganj-4 constituency in the upcoming 12th National Parliament election. He made this declaration in a video message shared on social media on Sunday (November 26). He has decided to contest the election as an independent candidate to make the polls inclusive.
In the 12th National Parliament election, Jafar Alam, the current Member of Parliament and president of the Chakaria Upazila Awami League, has not secured the nomination for the Cox's Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency. He has announced his candidature as an independent against the Awami League-endorsed candidate, Salah Uddin Ahmed, the former secretary of the district Awami League.
Besides, it has been reported that the current Member of Parliament for Jamalpur-4 (Sarishabari) constituency, Dr. Murad Hasan, is preparing to contest independently in the upcoming election after not receiving the endorsement of the Awami League. A nomination paper has been collected after his name from the Upazila Election Office, as confirmed by the election officials.
After being denied a nomination from the Awami League, showbiz star Mahiya Mahi declared to contest the polls as an independent candidate from Rajshahi-1 Constituency.
In Gazipur-2 constituency, Jubo League leader Md. Saiful Islam will contest against the party-nominated candidate Jahid Ahsan Russell.
In the 12th National Parliament election, former Member of Parliament Talukdar Tauhid Jong Murad and Saiful Islam, the General Secretary of Ashulia Thana Awami League, announced their candidature as independent candidates for the Dhaka-19 (Savar) constituency after not receiving the Awami League's party endorsement.
In Mymensingh-3 (Gauripur) constituency, the current Member of Parliament (MP), Nazim Uddin Ahmed, has announced his candidature as an independent. The current MP and former Minister Habibun Nahar received the Awami League's nomination for this seat.
In Bagerhat-3 (Rampal-Mongla) constituency, popular actor Shakil Khan (Shakil Ahsan) will run as an independent candidate after not securing the Awami League's endorsement.
In Naogaon-3 (Mahadevpur-Badlagachhi) constituency, MP Solim Uddin has announced his candidature as an independent candidate.
Freedom fighter Mokbul Hossen, who has both won and lost as an independent candidate in previous elections, will once again contest independently in the upcoming election.
In Sunamganj-1 constituency, the Awami League's sidelined MP Ratna will participate as an independent candidate.
In the upcoming 12th Parliament election in Munshiganj-2 constituency, Sohana Tahmina, the joint general secretary of the district Awami League, has declared her intention to run as an independent candidate. She had submitted her nomination form for the seat, but the Awami League has nominated the current MP, Sagufa Yasmin Emily, as their candidate.
In Kustia-1, former MP Rezaul Haque Chowdhury and from Kustia-4 constituency, former MP Abdur Rouf, announced to contest the polls against the party-nominated candidates.
In Narsingdi-1, three individuals will contest as independent candidates. They are Pirzada Kazi Mohammad Ali, the General Secretary of the district Awami League; joint secretary Kamruzzaman Kamrul; and Ali Hossen Shishir, a member of the Commerce and Industry Subcommittee.
Meanwhile, five AL leaders in Chittagong have decided to run as independent candidates in five constituencies.
Among them is a former Member of Parliament. They have already announced their intention to run as independent candidates. The individuals are Samshul Haque Chowdhury, Mujibur Rahman, M. A. Motaleb, Gias Uddin, and Altaf Hossain Chowdhury Bachchu.
Earlier on Sunday, the AL general secretary revealed the party's list of candidates in a crowded press conference held at the central office on Bangabandhu Avenue.
The selection comprised a diverse mix of new faces from varied backgrounds, carefully chosen to reflect the party's inclusivity. Obaidul Quader confirmed nominations for 298 seats while withholding candidates for Kushtia-2 and Narayanganj-5 constituencies.
This announcement has apparently triggered discontent within the ruling party as several AL leaders and former lawmakers, who failed to secure party tickets for the 12th parliamentary elections, came up with their intentions to contest independently – thereby creating potential internal discord within the party's ranks.
Messenger/Jakir/Alamin
