Convicts, reformists too rush to get BNP ticket

Convicts under Emergency Power Rules, so-called reformist leaders of BNP and many fresh faces collected nomination forms from BNP central and city offices in Naya Paltan yesterday, the first day of BNP's nomination process.
The two-day sale of nomination forms began early in the morning with Manzur-e-Elahi buying a form for Laxmipur-2 constituency. Over 1,600 forms were sold for 263 constituencies in six divisions with Dhaka division getting the highest sale of over 750 nomination forms.
Party men appointed to sell nomination forms told reporters that they are not selling forms for 37 constituencies following BNP high-up's directives. Many aspirant candidates expressed disappointment and a number of them also staged demonstration in front of the party office yesterday.
Controversial Justice Faisal Mahmud Faizee bought nomination form for Chittagong-2.
Former BNP minister Nazmul Huda, Sabera Aman (wife of former BNP lawmaker Amanullah Aman), Mir Nasir, Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku, Taimur Alam Khandaker, Mirza Abbas and Hafiz Ibrahim collected nomination forms yesterday even though they have been convicted.
Hafiz Ibrahim's wife and brother also collected nomination forms.
M Saifur Rahman, Moudud Ahmed, Nasiruddin Pintu, Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, Fazlur Rahman Patal, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Tariqul Islam and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury collected forms. They are all under trial and a number of them are behind bars.
Osman Farruk, Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed, Mosharraf Hossain Mango, Shah Abul Hossain, Rezaul Bari Dina, Ziaul Haque Mollah, GM Seraj, Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yousuf, Masud Arun, Abdul Manna Talukder, Amin Ahmed Bhuiyan, SM Sultan, Ebadur Rahman Chowdhury were among the so-called reformist BNP leaders who bought forms yesterday.
Among the high-profile BNP leaders who bought nomination forms, Speaker barrister Jamiruddin Sircar bought forms for Panchagarh-1, Chowdhury Tanbir Ahmed Siddiky for Dhaka-15, Dhaka-18, Gazipur-7, Gazipur-8 and Laxmipur-2, Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman for Dinajpur-2, ASM Hannan Shah for Dhaka-17 and Gazipur-4, Selima Rahman for Barisal-2 and Barisal-3, Shah Moazzem Hossain for Munshiganj-1 and Rizvi Ahmed for Rajshahi-3.
The leaders bought the forms through their representatives on the first day of the two-day selling and submission of nominations.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, however, did not collect nomination forms yesterday, party sources said.
A significant number of fresh faces collected forms on the first day from the six booths at the office opened for the six divisions.
Since early morning, BNP nomination aspirants from across the country started arriving at the office accompanied by their supporters. The area surrounding the offices was in a festive mood. The supporters chanted slogans in favour of their candidates.
Nomination seekers said they were happy to collect the forms but they were not sure of being able to contest the polls since BNP high-ups would decide who gets party tickets.
The nomination aspirants must pay Tk 1,000 for buying each form and Tk 20,000 while submitting the form to the party's central office by today 10:00pm.
Many nomination seekers complained that the money BNP is taking for submitting nomination forms is a lot higher than other parties are taking.
BNP Assistant Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan on Monday said interview of the prospective candidates would start from November 27 while party Secretary General Delwar Hossain said when the submission of nomination papers is done, party parliamentary board will finalise the candidates.
However, Delwar told reporters yesterday, "Leaders would be nominated by the chairperson considering how they performed in the party after the promulgation of the state of emergency."