BJP feels 'betrayed' as BNP candidate files nomination

From left: Kazi Alauddin, Dr. Shahidul Alam

BNP leader Dr. Shahidul Alam, central vice-president of Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), yesterday submitted nomination paper for 4-party ticket. He will face interview on December 6.

Though seat sharing among the allies has not been finalised, BNP did not sell nomination papers for seats kept for its allies in the coming election.

Submission of nomination paper by Dr. Shahidul Alam animated BNP rank and file in the constituency, some front ranking party leaders in the district told this correspondent yesterday evening.

As BNP high command allowed him (Dr. Shahidul Alam) to submit nomination paper, Dr. Alam may get alliance ticket this time, they noted happily.

On the other hand, this created a commotion among BJP leaders and workers. BJP leader Kazi Alauddin won from Satkhira-4 in 2001 election.

Many BJP leaders said fielding a BNP man in the constituency would amount to 'betrayal' as alliance leaders had earlier 'confirmed' Kazi Alauddin's nomination from Satkhiar-4.

Talking to this correspondent, some BNP leaders said the party was compelled to sell nomination paper to Dr. Shahidul Alam as a large number of local BNP leaders and activists were opposing nomination of a BJP man from the area.

They were demanding a BNP candidate and vowed to resist BJP, allegedly because the former BJP lawmaker (Kazi Alauddin) ignored them in last five years, the BNP leaders said seeking anonymity.

Some dedicated BNP leaders were aggrieved after the alliance ticket went to BJP in last election and they had decided either to field a party leader as an independent candidate or leave the party, they said.

When contacted over cell-phone yesterday, Dr. Shahidul Alam said he purchased nomination paper due to pressure from local party men. A large section of BNP leaders and activists who were ignored by former BJP lawmaker Kazi Alauddin are demanding nomination of a party man, he said.

Dr. Shahidul Alam sought alliance ticket in last election but was denied. He has already launched campaign.

"As there is no organisation of BJP in the constituency, the party will not be a factor for BNP in the coming election", Dr. Shahidul Alam said.

Noor Mohammad, a senior BNP leader in Kaligonj, said, "BJP leader Kazi Alauddin, if nominated again, would not be able to retain the seat as most BNP men oppose him as he allegedly favoured Jamaat-e-Islami men causing division the alliance in the area.