Rivals join hands against BNP MP in Dinajpur-4

From L-R: Akharuzzaman, Hafizur Rahman & Abdul Halim

Several front ranking local leaders of the party who were present at the press conference supported him and urged the party high-ups not to nominate incumbent lawmaker Md Aktaruzzaman. Halim is also president of Chirirbandar upazila BNP. The constituency comprise Chichirbandar and Khanshama upazilas.

Abdul Halim was flanked by at least 10 front ranking party leaders of BNP and its front organisations at the press conference, held at Dinajpur Press Club.

Halim and other leaders alleged that Md. Aktaruzzaman did little development work at the constituency in last five years.

They also alleged that Aktaruzzaman, along with Md. Hafizur Rahman, has tarnished the image of BNP in the area. Both are seeking nomination.

The said they would accept any nominee except Aktaruzzman and Md Hafizur Rahman from the constituency.

Party insiders said Aktaruzza-man is backed by a powerful lobby at Hawa Bhaban in Dhaka while Hafizur Rahman enjoys blessings of prime minister's mother Begum Tayaba Majumber.

Abdul Halim contested elections in 1991 and the 'controversial one held on February 16, 1996. He also sought nomination in 2001 but was denied.

BNP leaders at the press conference also alleged that Akharuzza-man is not a man from Dinajpur-4 constituency though he claims that his forefathers were inhabitants of the area.

Halim also told newsmen that he informed prime minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia on August 12 about the intra-party feud in Dinajpur-4 over nomination.

He also claimed that Aktaruzza-man created a rift in the party in the area. Several party committees were dissolved at his behest, which sparked off clashes.

Clashes also took place between supporters of Aktaruzzaman and Hafizur Rahman, speakers said at the press conference.

They also claimed that party men in Chirirbandar and Khansama upazilas do not support Aktaruzzman as he did not keep contacted with them after being elected in 2001.

Party leaders at union level were being threatened that their units will be dissolved if they do not support Akhtaruzzaman, they alleged.