Disgruntled Rana rejects nomination to rival Lebu

The supporters of Tangail Awami League leader Amanur Rahman Khan Rana staged a demonstration in Ghatail municipality area yesterday, rejecting Mohammad Shahidul Islam Lebu as party candidate for contesting the Tangail -3 (Ghatail) by-elections slated for November 18.
The agitating AL men, led by Rana, religious affairs secretary of Tangail district unit and former general secretary of Ghatail AL unit, took out a procession in the municipality at noon and then held a rally demanding cancellation of the nomination. Rana was one of the six aspirants for party nomination.
The Awami League Parliamentary Board (ALPB) on Monday night nominated Mohammad Shahidul Islam Lebu to contest the by-polls.
The 10-member ALPB finalised the nomination at a meeting held at Gono Bhaban with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Addressing the rally in front of Ghatail upazila parishad, Rana said the party nominated Lebu without consulting Ghatail upazila unit leaders and activists. Ghatail people have rejected Rana and won't vote for him.
“Ghatail people are with me and I will contest the election as their candidate,” Rana said. His supporters chanted slogans against party candidate Shahidul Islam Lebu. Jamuria Union Parishad Chairman Shahidul, former Ghatail upazila AL joint secretary Masudur Rahman, former publicity secretary Saiful Islam and Ghatail upazila Jubo League President Sultan Mahmud Sujon also spoke.
The speakers urged the ALPB to cancel Lebu's nomination and pick Rana as AL candidate for contesting the by-polls.
Contacted, Shahidul Islam Lebu said the ALPB has nominated him in recognition of his contribution to the party politics at grassroots level. He requested all leaders and activists of AL upazila unit to stay united and campaign for him.
As per the polls schedule, the last day for submitting nomination papers is October 18.