‘Boat’ or ‘Independent’: Conflict is increasing in Awami League
Photo: Barta24.com
The positions of the two main parties of the country are at opposite poles regarding the upcoming 12th Jatiya Sangsad(JS) elections. On the one hand, Awami League is moving towards the elections by announcing its candidates, on the other hand, BNP and other like-minded parties are in the field announcing boycott and resistance to the elections. There are also external pressures. In that situation, all eyes are now on the election.
Awami League has already announced the final nomination list of 298 candidates ahead of the 12th JS Election. Along with this, various efforts are being made to make the elections fair and participatory. Awami League is pulling small parties and alliances like Trinamool BNP, BNM and United Front. But BNP is stubborn not to join the election. The party is carrying out strict programs like hartal-blockade demanding a neutral caretaker government.
Party chief Sheikh Hasina also has strict instructions to make the elections fair and participatory. When the aspirants met the Awami League president at Ganobhaban on Sunday (November 26) morning, she warned that action would be taken against anyone who would be elected unopposed. At the same time, as in 2014, no one can be elected unopposed, so if necessary, she has given instructions to keep party dummy candidates, said several aspirants.
In addition, the party has changed 72 members of Parliament and announced candidates ahead of the 12th JS elections. Again, no seat was left vacant for the allies of the alliance except Kushtia-2 and Narayanganj-5 constituencies. There is confusion among Awami League’s partners about this. Some members of the alliance have expressed discomfort with such behavior of the government party.
However, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said on Tuesday (November 28) that the elections will not be held in free style to clarify the issue of independent or dummy candidates. We see who wants who. We also have a decision to make. We have a strategic decision. We have until the 17th December to make that decision. In the mean time we can make changes, augmentations, corrections, additions and accomodations.'
Awami League general secretary and President's speech, Trinamool workers are somewhat hesitant. They are still undecided about whether they will stand as independent candidates, or what will be the Centre's response if they do. However, the collection of individual nomination forms does not stop there. This list includes popular candidates from the area to parliamentarians, former ministers, former central leaders, film stars, established businessmen, former mayors, district and upazila chairmen. Trinamool leaders and activists are also openly and secretly taking positions in favor of many independent candidates.
BNP's non-appearance in the election and relying on the Prime Minister's announcement, therefore, in many constituencies, the leaders who are not nominated are uniting in favor of independent candidates. Again, due to the nepotism of many in power for 15 consecutive years, the distance with the Trinamool leaders and activists has increased. The deprived, abused and oppressed people are united in favor of the rebel and independent candidate.
According to Awami League sources, the candidates are taking the Prime Minister's words as a green signal. Therefore, independent candidates are united against ‘boat’in many places. Again, due to party conflict in many places, party leaders and workers are supporting independent candidates. Heavyweight candidates were also denied nominations in many places. In other times they might have kept quiet but now they are openly declaring against the boat. He is also getting support from the grassroots activists. Especially those who are deprived and oppressed in various ways are entering the field with public announcements in favor of independent candidates. They are conducting meetings and mass communication.
It is known that Tahmina Begum, Member of Parliament of the reserved seat, has announced the election as an independent candidate in Madaripur-3 seat. Abdus Sobhan Golap, Awami League's Publicity secretary has received the final nomination as a boat candidate for the seat. Due to the nomination of Golap, the leaders and activists of a section of the Upazila Awami League are also seen protesting against him.
Tahmina Begum told Barta24.com that in response to the question, why are independent candidates running? He did not provide the service that the MPs should have provided for the welfare of the people of Madaripur-3 constituency. Especially the people of Ramzanpur are still being tortured. After making his brother the chairman, he occupied Khas land. He does not take people's land and give them money. He is a usurper. He trades nominations. I am starting to make the ward committee and he gave money to the ward committee. We have stopped doing ward committee for him. He will not serve people. He has no right to be an MP. He is not a soldier of Bangabandhu's ideology; he has tarnished the Awami League in Kalkini, Madaripur, Chashara.
Three-time MP Ratan has announced the election as an independent candidate in Sunamganj-1 constituency. Advocate Ranjit Sarkar has been nominated for the first time in this seat. Barrister Emon has announced to be an independent candidate for Sunamganj-4 seat. On Sunday, his supporters bought nomination forms on behalf of barrister Emon to become an independent candidate from Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner's office. Former chairman of Public Service Commission (PSC) and former secretary of the government Mohammad Sadiq got boat from the seat.
Jahangir Alam, former mayor of Gazipur City Corporation, bought the nomination form of Awami League from Gazipur 1 and 2 constituencies. However, he did not get the nomination, so he announced a separate election. He will contest independently from Gazipur-2 seat. Current Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs Zahid Ahsan Russell has been nominated from this seat.
Awami League's party nomination for Chattogram-11 (Bandar-Patenga) Constituency has been received by the current Member of Parliament businessman M Abdul (MA) Latif. General Secretary of Ward Awami League and Councilor of City Corporation Ziaul Haque Sumon sought nomination for this seat. However, not getting the nomination, he announced that he would hold an independent election. General Secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan Awami League and former City Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin along with several Awami League leaders and several councilors of CCC gathered on a stage supporting this independent candidate.
Current Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Water Resources Zahid Farooq Shamim has got boat ticket for Barishal-5 seat. However, the former Mayor of Barishal City Corporation Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah has collected nomination papers to contest against him independently. Local leaders and activists held a meeting to nominate former mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah.
Five-time chairman of Sultanpur Union and former chairman of Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila Parishad, Ferozur Rahman Olio, also sought Awami League's nomination in Brahmanbaria-3. That is why he resigned from the post of Chairman of Upazila Parishad. However, he did not get the nomination. He did not give up. He announced independent elections. Ubaidul Moktadir Chowdhury, the current member of parliament of this constituency got the boat nomination again.
Awami League's final nominee for Noakhali-2 seat, Morshed Alam, has been declared undesirable, citing various irregularities, corruption and neglect of leaders and activists. The leaders and activists of a section of the local Awami League made this announcement by alleging various irregularities and nepotism against him.
Former MP Aktaruzzaman has announced to be an independent candidate for Gazipur-5 seat. Before this, he did not seek the nomination of Awami League. Iqbal Hossain Sabuj, the current Member of Parliament of the constituency, got the boat ticket again. He is the General Secretary of Gazipur District Awami League.
Local leaders and activists are angry with the nomination of Abdul Aziz, the current member of parliament, in Sirajganj-3 seat. He is accused of devaluing the leaders and activists, creating division in the party. Apart from this, the re-nomination of the current Member of Parliament Abdul Momin Mondal in Sirajganj-5 Constituency has caused dissatisfaction among the local leaders and activists. Awami League nominated 7 people from the seat. Upazila Chairman Nurul Islam Sajedul was announced as an independent candidate by the angry leaders and activists after not getting the nomination.
Actress Mahia Mahi in Rajshahi-1 seat, District Awami League vice-president Sirajul Haque in Lalmonirhat-2 seat, Biswanath Sarkar Bittu, joint general secretary of Krishak League central committee in Rangpur-2 seat, former upazila chairman Shahjahan Bhuiyan in Narayanganj-1 (Rupganj) seat and many other Awami. League leaders and activists openly announced to hold independent elections without being nominated by Awami League.
The Chairman of the National Election Monitoring Council (JANIPOP) Professor Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah told Barta24.com that Awami League people do not go to vote anymore. It is not possible to win without votes. Dhaka-17 seat is its shining example. Only 11 percent voted on something. Votes have been opened to avoid this item. If the vote turn-out is high then it can be said that the election is credible. Police or other agencies look at Awami League candidates one way and candidates from different parties look differently. Now if three candidates of Awami League stand there, then the administration will also be divided. All those in the administration are Awami League people. As a result, there is a possibility of massive fights. There will be a lot of grassroots conflict and in that case, the election may turn out to be lopsided.
