AL high command instructs local leaders to work for BSP candidate

The Awami League high command has instructed leaders and activists to work for Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP) chairman Syed Saifuddin Ahmed Maijbhandari in Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari) constituency despite fielding a party candidate.

The party high command instructed the local leaders to work for BSP candidate Saifuddin, who is vying with electoral symbol "ektara", yesterday, said AL sources.

The AL nominated candidate for the constituency is Khadizatul Anwar Sony, an incumbent lawmaker from reserved seat for women.

Chattogram North District unit General Secretary Sheikh Ataur Rahman confirmed the matter to The Daily Star.

"General Secretary of AL Obaidul Quader and Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud instructed me over phone on Thursday to work for the BSP candidate," he said, adding, "They told me that it is the decision of the party."

ATM Payarul Islam, vice president of Chattogram North District unit AL and chairman of Chattogram Zilla Parishad, said he received similar instructions yesterday.

Describing the rationale behind the decision, he said, "It is not a sudden decision. Actually, the AL candidate in Chattogram-2 was supposed to be withdrawn in favour of BSP candidate, but somehow the decision was not implemented earlier."

Contacted, Hasan Mahmud said, "I will not make any comment about it," he said.

"This is our internal matter. This is not to make public," he added.

The Daily Star could not reach Khadizatul and Saifuddin for their comments despite repeated attempts.

Bangladesh Tariqat Federation chairman Nazibul Bashar Maizbhandari is another heavyweight candidate in this constituency, who is also the incumbent lawmaker.