Discontent brews in Moulvibazar-2 as Big Two field new faces

Fielding of new faces by both Awami League and BNP in Moulvibazar-2 (Kulaura and four unions of Kamalganj) constituency has given rise to discontent among grassroots leaders and activists of the two major political parties.
AL has given nomination to UK expatriate Ataur Rahman Shamim, depriving its central leader Sultan Md Monsur Ahmed and while BNP has nominated newcomer Abed Raja depriving former lawmaker MM Shahin for the second time.
Jamaat leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman got BNP-led four-party alliance ticket for 2001 election. Aggrieved BNP leader MM Shahin then contested as an independent candidate and was elected lawmaker from the constituency while Jamaat leader Dr Shafique lost his deposit. After the election, MM Shahin's attempt to return to BNP failed due to opposition of Moulvibazar district BNP president M Naser Rahman, son of former finance minister Saifur Rahman.
In 2006, during the last moment of BNP-led alliance government, Shahin joined BNP and got party ticket for the election (later cancelled) scheduled for January 22 last year.
A faction of Kulaura BNP is supporting MM Shahin while another faction demanded party nomination for Shawkatul Islam Shoku.
Against the backdrop of internal conflict, advocate Abed Raja, son of former Muslim League lawmaker from the seat advocate ANM Yousuf, joined BNP in last month and finally got party nomination.
Deprived MM Shahin has again submitted nomination paper as an independent candidate.
Awami League's nomination to UK expatriate Ataur Rahman Shamim for the seat has given rise to discontent among the grassroots leaders of Kulaura and Kamalganj AL who had earlier proposed central AL Organising Secretary Sultan Md Monsur Ahmed's name as their nominee.
Local leaders and workers of AL and its front organisations have continued movement for Sultan Monsur's nomination.
Local AL leaders said Ataur Rahman is unknown not only to voters but also to party men.
Former president of Chhatra League and VP of DUCSU, Sultan Monsur was elected from Moulvibazar-2 with a huge margin in 1996 but was defeated to MM Shahin with a small margin in 2001 election.