Heavyweights worried as tough fight await them

Most of the 12 heavyweight candidates of Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party (JP) could not afford to a relax mood this time as none of them have clear edge over their challengers in the 16 constituencies of Chittagong.
The heavyweights are BNP Joint Secretary General and former fisheries minister Abdullah Al Noman, BNP leader and former commerce minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, AL Chittagong (North) district unit President and former civil aviation minister Mosharraf Hossain, former adviser to Khaleda Zia and BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, JP acting Chairman and former foreign minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, BNP leader and former Whip Syed Wahidul Alam, Executive President of Jatiya Samajtantirk Dal (JSD) Moinuddin Khan Badal, Chittagong City AL Vice President Nurul Islam BSc, BNP leader and two-time lawamker Gazi Shahjahan Jewel, AL Chitagong (South) district unit President and former lawmaker Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu, BNP leader and former lawmaker Sarwar Jamal Nizam, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chief and former minister Col (retd) Oli Ahmad, and BNP leader and former state minister Jafrul Islam Chowdhury.
In last three polls, Abdullah Al Noman won two and lost one from city's most 'prestigious' seat Chittagong-8 (Kotwali). This time he has shifted to Chittagong-9 (Doublemooring-Pahartali) to fight against city AL's Joint Secretary Dr Afsarul Amin, JP's Morshed Murad Ibrahim and independent M Monjur Alam. Noman's prospect here is seemingly brighter since two grand alliance-backed candidates Dr Afsarul and Morshed remain in the race.
Hiwever, Noman remained in the electoral campaign for 12 days from December 16 due to his illness.
Amir Khosru never conceded defeat in parliamentary polls and this time too he expects easy win against his AL-backed challenger MA Latif, also president of Chittagong Chamber, in Chittagong-10 (Bandar-Patenga) seat.
Noted businessman and fresh BNP candidate MDM Kamaluddin Chowdhury, also chairman of Clifton Group, had made his presence deep in Chittagong-1 (Mirsarai), much to the headache of Mosharraf Hossain, who had won only a by-election in 1996 after BNP chief Khaleda Zia relinquished the seat. Kamaluddin's clean image and Mosharraf's intra-party feud with Giasuddin may bring last laugh for the former.
Salauddin Quader Chowdhury is contesting from Chittagong-2 (Fatikchhari) and Chittagong-6 (Rangunia) against AL's ATM Payerul Islam (former Fatikchhari upazila chairman) and Dr Hasan Mahmud (former PS to AL chief Sheikh Hasina) respectively.
The controversial political career of SQ Chowdhury may risk his chance in at least one seat, political observers said.
Similar fate has been predicted by many quarters for Col Oli in Chittagong-13 (Chandanaish) and Chittagong-14 (Lohagara-Satkania) seat. AL's Afsaruddin Ahmad and Jamaat-e-Islami's Chittagong City Ameer ANM Shamsul Islam may appear as great challenges for Oli.
Close fight is expected between Anis and Wahid in Chittagong-4 (Hathazari), Badal and BNP's fresh candidate Md Ershadullah in Chittagong-7 (Boalkhali-Chandgaon), Jewel and AL's Shamsul Haque Chowdhury in Chittagong-11 (Patiya), Babu and Sarwar Jamal in Chittagong-12 (Anwara) and Jafrul and AL's Sultanul Kabir Chowdhury in Chittagong-15 (Banskhali) seats.