Ershad cause of concern for both BNP, Jamaat

Howlader declared that he will be a party candidate from the constituency where BNP chief Khalada Zia announced her party candidate nine months ago.

"Jatiya Party will join the four-party alliance and I will be a party candidate from Patuakhali-1 constituency (Sadar, Mirzagonj and Dumki areas)", he said at a workers' meeting of district JP, held at the old town hall on Friday.

He also urged party leaders and workers to launch vigorous campaign.

After the meeting JP brought out a procession in the town to rally public support for the party. Starting from New Market, it terminated in front of JP's district office with a rally.

Golam Mostafa Talukder, president of the party district unit, vice-president Khairul Alam Mamun, secretary Zafar Ullah and other party leaders addressed the rally.

Golam Mostafa Talukder told the rally that Patuakhali JP will soon start campaign for Ruhul Amin Howlader.

Ruhul Amin Howlader took part in 1996 parliamentary election from the constituency and lost to Awami League's Shahjahan Mia with a big margin. Shahjahan got 63,951 and Howlader trailed far behind with only 5,332 votes.

Prime Minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia during a visit to Patuakhali on November 29 last year declared that former home minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury would be the party candidate in the polls from Patuakhali-1.

Howladers's announcement has created embarrassment for BNP in Patuakhali.

Talking to this correspondent, Maksud Ahmed Bayazid Panna, acting secretary of district BNP said, "We will try our best to abide by any decision taken by Khaleda Zia. But we demand Altaf Hossain Chowdhury as a coalition candidate. Giving nomination to Howlader in the constituency will harm BNP", he said.

Howlader's announcement also worried Jamaat-e-Islami, a partner in the alliance.

"We were harassed time and again during Ershad's rule", Patuakhali Jamaat Ameer Maulana Fakhruddin Khan Razi told to this correspondent at his party office Friday night.

"We believe Jatiay Party's joining will not bring any good to our alliance as Ersahd's personal character and leadership is questionable," he said.

"I think four-party alliance is strong enough to win the coming election and form government again," Razi said.

"Erahad's joining may harm our alliance in the long run", he said.