Former BNP-backed CCC mayor now an AL nomination-seeker
Former BNP-backed mayor of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) M Manjur Alam has collected a nomination form from Awami League to contest the upcoming national election from Chattogram-10 constituency.
Manjur, former adviser to the BNP chairperson, was elected CCC mayor in 2010 by defeating AL heavyweight late ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.
As a BNP-backed candidate, Manjur vied for the CCC polls in 2015 against AL Chattogram city unit general secretary AJM Nasir Uddin.
But on election day, Manjur boycotted the polls halfway, alleging that his agents were driven out from polls centres by the ruling party men. He also declared to quit politics.
Manjur, however, maintained his relationship with AL, especially with then president of Chattogram city unit Mohiuddin Chowdhury.
Manjur came to politics under the guidance of Mohiuddin in the 90s and was elected CCC councillor in the polls held in 1994, 2000 and 2005. Mohiuddin was elected mayor in all three polls and made Manjur a panel mayor.
According to sources, there was a rift in their relationship after the 1/11 changeover when Mohiuddin was arrested and Manjur was made acting mayor in 2007. But after being elected mayor in 2010, Manjur continued his relationship with Mohiuddin, they added.
Contacted, Manjur said he had a close relationship with the late leader, who advised him to vie for the parliamentary polls. “So, I collected the AL nomination form,” he told The Daily Star on Tuesday.
He added, “My family has close tie with AL. My nephew is the incumbent lawmaker from Awami League in Chattogram-4 constituency.”
Asked, BNP Chattogram city unit vice president Abu Sufian said Manjur stepped down from his post in BNP on the day of CCC polls in 2015, when he declared to boycott polls.
“He also declared to quit politics,” said Sufian, adding, “Now we hear, he had collected nomination form from Awami League.”
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