Grand alliance eyes grand victory in Kushtia-1

Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance eyes a 'big victory' in Kushtia-1 (Daulatpur) constituency in the upcoming parliamentary election, party leaders said, claiming that its nominee Afaz Uddin Ahmed is 'clearly ahead of his poll rivals'.
They claimed that Afaz Uddin gained popularity and earned respect of people by virtue of being a 'clean' man and the oldest politician in the area after the death of BNP leader Ahsanul Haq Mollah.
Mollah was president of Daulatpur upazila BNP for 22 years and was from Kushtia-1 in three consecutive elections----1991, 1996 and 2001. He died in 2004.
In last three elections, Afaz lost to Mollah with small margins. After the death of Mollah, his son Reza Ahmed Bachchu Mollah was elected from the constituency in 2004 by-election in which no party took part.
Now, Bachchu Mollah is sidelined in BNP due to his involvement with reformist group and for allegedly patronising criminals.
The four-party alliance has nominated Altaf Hossain, senior vice-president of Daulatpur BNP, to contest from Kushtia-1 in the upcoming election. Sources in BNP says a large number of party men who are loyal to Bachchu Mollah are not campaigning for Altaf, which may make his fate uncertain.
On the other hand, as the oldest politician in the, Afazuddin has a good image in the constituency and earns respect of people of all walks life.
Besides, as a son-in-law of Mollah family, many in the area thinking Afaz to be alternative to Mollah.