Practising political nicety

They have signed a six-point ‘code of conduct’ on political activities before and during the coming election in their area.

The seven leaders in a joint statement said all of them would seek nomination for contesting in Patuakhali-3 (Galachipa-Dashmina) constituency but would work together for the party nominee, whoever he might be.

The six-point agreement is: Nobody would make adverse propaganda against any one, every body would do mass contact in his area but all would be present in any party meeting or programmme, all would be invited and attend any progamme of the party and its front organisation, any local or central leader could sponsor any political programme under the party banner, once the nomination is announced, all would work together for the party nominee and finally, any body violating the agreement could be recommended for expulsion from the party.

The seven leaders are Shahjahan Khan, vice-president of Patuakhali district BNP and president of party's Galachipa upazila unit, central assistant finance secretary of Krishak Dal industrialist Golam Mostafa, Jatiyatabadi Ayinjibi Forum central joint secretary Shah Alom Bhuayan, central law affairs secretary of Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal Md Afzal Hossain, central joint secretary of Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal Harun-or-Rashid and businessman Golam Mostafa.

Shahjahan Khan was defeated by Awami League candidate AKM Jahangir Hossain in 2001 election with 12,758 votes. Jahangir Hossain, a former state minister, had also won from the constituency in 1991 and 1996 elections. AL also bagged the seat in 1973 election.

BNP won the polls from the constituency in 1979 and in the February 15 election in 1996, which was rejected by all other political parties.

The agreement was signed at a meeting in Dhaka recently, a copy of which was made available to local journalists.

Some of the leaders later talked to journalists. They said they would abide by the agreement and work together for the party nominee.