Discord in grand alliance over tickets in Satkhira
The constituencies are Satkhira-1 (Tala-Kalaroa), Satkhira- 2 (Sadar), Satkhira- 3 (Assassuni), Satkhira- 4 (Kaligonj-Debhata) and Satkhira- 5 (Shyamnagar).
Awami League and all its front organisations brought out a big procession in the town, put up barricade on Satkhira-Khulna road in front of the deputy commissioner's office and held a rally protesting nomination of Jatiya Party (JP) leader Abdul Jabbar from Satkhira-2 constituency as a candidate of the 'grand alliance' and demanding ticket for district AL secretary Nazrul Islam from there.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Over 5000 party men gathered at the Shaheed Abdur Razzak Park brought out a procession. They paraded main thoroughfares of the town raising slogans demanding nomination for Nazrul Islam, instead of Abdul Jabbar.
The demonstrators squatted on the Satkhira-Khulna road disrupting traffic on at least 8 routes.
The rally was addressed by Sheikh Abu Nasim Moina, Firoz Ahmed, Saiful Karim Sabu, advocate Farida Akhtar Banu, Syed Firoz Kamal Shuvra, Firoz Ahmed, Azibar Rahman, SM Shawkat Hossain, Sheikh Nurul Haque, Shahadat Hossain, Shahjahan Ali, Abdul Mannan, Mahmud Ali Suman, Kazi Akhtar Hossain and Rashiduzzaman Rashi.
They urged AL chief Sheikh Hasina to nominate Nazrul Islam in Satkhira-2 constituency, saying he is an efficient man, popular and honest leader and will win the seat.
They said they will not accept any candidate other than a party man and vowed to resist Abdul Jabbar as an alliance candidate.
After the showdown, Nazrul Islam submitted nomination paper from Satkhira- 2.
JP leader Abdul Jabbar also submitted nomination paper.
Rift among 'grand alliance' partners has also surfaced in four other constituencies over tickets as aspirants submitted nomination papers yesterday ignoring 'official' nominees.
Engineer Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and BM Nazrul Islam of AL, Syed Didar Bakht of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Mustafa Lutfullah of Workers Party and Obaidus Sultan Bablu of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) submitted nomination papers yesterday from Satkhira-1 (Tala-Kalaroa) constituency.
Former lawmaker Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman and ABM Mustakim of AL and JP leader advocate Salah Uddin submitted nomination papers from Satkhira- 3 (Assassuni).
Dr. AFM Ruhul Haque of AL and former MP Shahadat Hossain of JP submitted nomination papers from Satkhira- 4 (Kaligonj-Debhata) and Golam Reza of JP and AK Fazlul Haque of AL from Satkhira- 5 (Shyamnagar).
Political analysts said the difference among 'grand alliance' partners has shattered hopes of regaining the seats in the coming election.
This has also frustrated their grassroots level leaders and activists ahead of the election, the analysts said.
While talking to this correspondent, a senior AL leader seeking anonymity said 'grand alliance' high-ups failed to choose 'competent candidates' to face opponents.