AL picks new face over AJM Nasir for Ctg mayor polls

Awami League last night chose Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, joint general secretary of the party's Chattogram city unit, instead of incumbent mayor AJM Nasir Uddin to contest the Chittagong City Corporation mayoral election.

The ruling party also nominated former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin for the by-polls in Dhaka-10 constituency.

Besides, Umme Kulsum Smrity was picked for the Gaibandha-3 by-election, while Shahin Chakladar was chosen for Jashore-6, Amirul Islam Milon for Bagerhat-4 and Sahadara Mannan, wife of late lawmaker Abdul Mannan, for Bogura-1.

The decisions were taken at a joint meeting of the AL Parliamentary Board and the AL Local Government Nomination Board. AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting at the Gono Bhaban.

The by-elections in Gaibandha-3, Bagerhat-4 and Dhaka-10 constituencies will be held on March 21.

As per the schedules announced by the Election Commission on February 6, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is February 19, while the date for scrutinising nomination papers is February 23 and the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is February 29.

The commission is likely to announce the polls schedule for the CCC election and Bogura-1 and Jashore-6 parliamentary by-polls on Sunday.

The Gaibandha-3 and Bagerhat-4 constituencies fell vacant following the deaths of AL MPs Dr M Eunus Ali Sarkar and Dr Mozammel Hossain.

The Dhaka-10 fell vacant as Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh resigned on December 29 to contest the Dhaka South City Corporation election.

The Bogura-1 and Jashore-6 seats fell vacant following the deaths of AL MPs Abdul Mannan and Ismat Ara Sadique.

Lesser known in Chattogram politics, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury was president of Chhatra League Chattogram College unit. He is also the founding chairman of Chaktai Khal Khanan Sangram Committee and convener of Chattagram Nagorik Andolon. 

Meanwhile, the PM yesterday said her government never takes into consideration who voted for Awami League or who did not when it comes to the country's development.

"In the democratic process, anyone has the right not to cast their vote for Awami League. But the government has created equal scope for all. It never considers who voted for AL or who didn't," she said.

Hasina was addressing the party nomination seekers for the CCC election and by-polls of five parliamentary seats at the Gono Bhaban meeting, reports UNB. 

She also urged people to cast their votes in favour of AL in the upcoming CCC election and by-elections to some parliamentary seats, saying casting votes only for the "Boat" symbol will ensure development of the nation.