Campaign heats up for Magura mayoral by-poll

Although the campaign for the mayoral by-poll of the Magura municipality has been geared up, dedicated activists and supporters of both Awami League (AL) and BNP are still confused about their rebel candidates.
The by-election is scheduled to be held on May 6.
The mayoral post fell vacant following the death of former Mayor Mohammad Altaf Hossain. The last municipality election was held on 27 January 2011.
The candidates in the fray are: Khurshid Haider Tutul (AL backed), Tapon Roy (AL rebel group backed), Dr. Mahbubul Haque Siddiquee (BNP backed), Iqbal Akhter Khan (BNP rebel group backed) and advocate Hasan Seraj Suja (Jatiys Party backed).
Dedicated leaders of both AL and BNP have expressed their frustration over their respective party's rebel candidatures.
Contacted, Dr. Mohammad Serajul Akbar, MP as well as the general secretary of Magura district unit AL, however said, "Tapon Roy did not seek party support as he resigned from the party in 2012. Four others sought backing in writing from the party and three of them withdrew their candidacy in support of Khurshid Haider Tutul".
President of district unit BNP Kabir Murad told this correspondent, "Kafur was never a BNP candidate as he did not hold any party post. Our party has unanimously decided to back Dr. Mahbubul Haque Siddiquee", he added.
As the candidates of both major parties are facing internal feud, JP backed candidate advocate Hasan Seraj Suja is enjoying its advantage. Moreover, there is no squabble or confusion in his organisation.
"As our candidate advocate Suja has a clean image and the party is out of any internal conflict, we hope to be able to achieve our target to win the municipal mayoral post", said Khan Ziaul Haque, president of district unit JP.