'Internal feud led to AL's defeat in 2 Pirojpur UZs'

Local leaders of ruling Awami League (AL) have termed 'internal conflict' and selection of 'unfit candidates' responsible for the defeat of the party-backed candidates in the recent polls in Nazirpur and Kawkhali upazila parishads in the district.
In Nazirpur, Md Nazrul islam Khan (BNP) was elected as chairman while Md Alim Sikder (Jatiya Party-JP) as vice chairman and Selina Begum (BNP) as vice chairman (reserved for women) of the upazila parishad although the area is considered as a stronghold of AL.
“As the party failed to select suitable candidates and their behaviour with the party men and general people was not satisfactory, many voters did not take part in the polls. Besides, in absence of acceptable candidates from the party, some AL men voted BNP candidates," said Amulyo Ronjan Halder, president of Nazirpur upazila unit of AL.
“Due to internal conflict in Awami League, many voters belonging to the minority community did not attend the polls,” said Md Mosarrof Hossain, chairman of Nazirpur Sadar union parishad.
The winners in Kawkhali upazila are SM Ahsan Kabir (BNP) -- chairman, Kamruzzaman Mithu (AL) -- vice chairman and Fatema Yasmin (BNP) -- vice chairman (reserved for women).
“As there was more than one candidate in the polls, Awami League votes got divided while some frustrated people voted BNP men,” said Talukder Delowar Hossain, secretary of Kawkhali upazila unit of AL.
"Now they are worried about the results in the upcoming polls in five other upazilas under the district as there are more than one AL candidate for each posts and most of them are not fit for the positions," said Akram Hossain, acting president of Pirojpur district unit of AL, also administrator of the district council.