Another election nears but Rajnagar yet to get gas

"We want pipe line gas supply in Rajnagar upazila before the coming general election". Such graffiti is common in almost all areas of the upazila.

All upazila headquarters in Moulvibazar district except Rajnagar have been brought under pipeline gas supply though the north-east gas pipeline from Haripur to Ashuganj passes through Rajnagar upazila headquarters.

Pipeline gas supply to Rajnagar is an old demand of people there. Now, people irrespective of political affiliation are united on the issue.

Rajnagar people led by political parties will launch a tougher agitation if the government fails to fulfil its commitment soon, according to leaders of opposition Awami League.

"People have the right to get gas. We will fight in a body to realise this demand, which ever government comes to power in the next election", said Rajnagar upazila AL secretary Md Askir Khan while talking to this correspondent.

Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman who was elected from this constituency (Moulvibazar-3) several time had promised to the people of Rajnagar that the upazila would be brought under pipeline gas supply but he forgot his promise every time, said Iffat Ara of Balishahasra area.

Saifur was elected to parliament from this constituency in 1979, 1996 and 2001 elections and became minister in every BNP cabinet.

Rajnagar is only 12 kilometres from Moulvibazar district headquarters.

An engineer of Jalalabad Gas at its Moulvibazar office said it is possible to supply gas to Rajnagar by installing a sub-station only.

Nazma begum, a schoolteacher said, in the last election, she voted for Saifur only because he promised to supply gas.

There are many who now accuse Saifur of flouting his election promise.

Businessman Imran Latif claimed that Saifur was elected from the constituency only on the promise to supply pipeline gas.

Another businessman Murshed Bakht Bappi said Rajnagar is the nearest upazila to Moulvibazar district town, but it is undeveloped despite having resources and a good number of investors.

"We have a powerful minister like Saifur Rahman, but we are deprived of gas though the pipeline passes through the upazila headquarters".

Saifur's son M Naser Rahman MP, who was elected from this constituency in the by-election in 2001 told journalists earlier that gas supply to Rajnagar is not an issue to the people there. Some Awami League leaders are trying to make it an issue, he said.

Naser Rahman however said Jalalabad Gas officials have been instructed to give gas connection to people residing within 200 metres, he said.