BNP to face Jamaat in 39 municipalities
Pro-Jamaat-e-Islami mayoral candidates are set to contest against candidates backed by its main ally BNP in 39 municipalities across the country in the upcoming elections to be started on January 12.
Jamaat's decision came against the backdrop of its ally's decision to provide support for only 5 Jamaat backed candidates.
BNP's long time partner decided to contest in 43 municipalities in 31 districts, according to a list of mayoral candidates to be backed by Jamaat.
Jamaat's Acting Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam confirmed the decision last night.
Four of the candidates backed by Jamaat also got BNP's support while the Islamist party did not take its ally's offer of support in Moheskhali municipality.
Instead of accepting BNP support in Moheskhali, Jamaat picked its leader Mozammel Haque to contest against BNP backed candidate Nurul Islam Haider at Chokoria in Cox's Bazar.
Jamaat is even backing candidates in Daganbhuiyan and Sonagazi municipalities in Feni, which are known as municipalities of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's home district. BNP is already backing Akbar Hossain and Jamaluddin Sentu in those two municipalities.
While talking to The Daily Star, Rehana Akhter Ranu MP, who is officially entitled to look after the development work and party affairs in the Feni-1constituency of BNP chairperson, said they are not aware of Jamaat's activities in the district.
Earlier, BNP decided to support Jamaat backed candidates in Sundarganj at Gaibandha, Gangni at Meherpur, Cox's Bazar Sadar, Moheskhali, and Teknaf of Cox's Bazar.
But Jamaat did not accept BNP's decision and decided to back 43 mayoral candidates on its own.
Sources said Jamaat wanted to settle the issue through discussion to finalise united backing of candidates under the banner of four-party alliance, but did not get positive response from BNP.
In the meantime, BNP finalised the list of mayoral candidates it decided to back.
According to the list prepared by Jamaat, the party will contest against BNP at Dinajpur, Birganj, Nilphamari, Patgram, Joypurhat, Sherpur, Chapainawabganj, Rahanpur, Shibganj, Naogaon, Katakhali, Taherpur, Godagari, Mundumala, Noldanga, Rayganj, Belkhuchi, Pabna, Kumarkhali, Jhenidah, Kotchandpur, Kolaroa, Karimganj, Boalmari, Kanaighat, Kamalganj, Borolekha, Akhaura, Laksam, Kachua, Daganbhuiyan, Sonagazi, Ramgoti, Satkania, Bariarhat, Mirsarai, Bandarban, Chokoria, and Charfashion.
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