AL expels seven rebels in Mymensingh, Gaibandha

Seven Awami League men were expelled in Mymensingh and Gaibandha districts yesterday and the day before as they are contesting the upazila elections, defying party decision.
Our Mymensingh correspondent reported that the district unit of the ruling party expelled five rebel candidates for chairman and vice-chairman posts in Sadar upazila polls scheduled for tomorrow.
The district committee took the decision in a meeting held at the party office on Monday night.
The expellees are Fayzur Rahman Fakir and Afaz Uddin Sarker. They are contesting the election for the chairman post. The three other expellees-- Anwarul Islam Ripon, Abu Sayeed Din Islam Fakrul, and Rafiqul Islam—are vying for the post of vice chairman.
Abdul Matin Sarker, general secretary of the district unit, they expelled the five for violating party decision.
In Gaibandha, Awami League expelled two leaders as they are still in the election race, ignoring party decision to back a single candidate in upcoming upazila election in Sadar upazila, reports our correspondent.
    District unit President advocate Syed Shamsul Alam Hiru and General Secretary Abu Bakker Siddique in joint statement yesterday said that the party expelled Hasan Mahmud Siddique, president of Krishak League district unit, and Mahmud Sarowar Mukta, member of the district unit, for not withdrawing their candidatures.
Mahmud is contesting election slated for March 15 for the post of chairman while Mukta for the post of vice-chaiman.
Party-backed candidates for the posts are advocate Anisur Rahman and Rasheda Begum.
Meanwhile, six upazilas in Naogaon and one in Chapainawabganj districts go to polls  tomorrow.  
Twenty-four candidates will contest for chairman posts, 24 for vice chairman posts and 17 for the posts of vice chairman reserved for women in the upazilas, reports our correspondent..
The upazilas where election will take place tomorrow are Naogaon sadar upazila, Atrai upazila, Sapahar upazila, Niamatpur upazila, Badalgachhi upazila of Noagaon district, and Gomostapur upazila of Chapainawabganj distrct.