Sagar Biswas :
With the electioneering time of the Union Parishad polls running out fast, the ruling Awami League is keeping its fingers crossed fearing that the rebel candidates may eat a major portion of votes which can dim the wining probability of the party nominees.
The issue of rebel candidates was widely discussed in the meeting of AL secretaries at party president’s Dhanmondi office on Wednesday. Although senior AL leaders have claimed that the number of rebel candidates will come down in near future following strict measures taken by party high ups; in fact the real scenario is different where rebel candidates have emerged as vital candidates in different UPs.
The rebel candidates also do not fear suspension or expulsion order from the party. Not only that, the rebel AL candidates are also not interested to pay attention to the ‘lucrative offers of important posts’ at grassroots level given by AL high command.
“The suspension order for the party’s rebel candidates and those are working for the rebels in the UP polls – is still in effect. The party will take final decision for permanent expulsion in the next meeting of party’s central executive committee,” AL Joint General Secretary Mahabubul Alam Hanif said after attending the meeting yesterday.
Issuing threat, the AL leader further said, “I urge all rebel candidates to withdraw their nomination papers which were submitted for the second phase of UP polls. If they do not withdraw, they will be permanently expelled from the party.”
According to sources, several ministries and MPs of the ruling alliance and district-level senior leaders of AL are patronising many rebel candidates from behind, and that is why the rebels refused to retire till the date. At present, the AL faces more than one rebel candidates in 412 UPs where first phase election would begin on March 22. In this situation, the AL has sent suspension notices to all the rebel candidates joining the first phase of UP polls. The ruling party also has directed the local committees to create pressure on the rebel candidates for obeying the decision of party’s central committee.
Otherwise, the rebels would be suspended from the party permanently, the notice mentioned.
The rebel issue has also created law and order situation in different parts of the country. In several areas, the AL nominated candidates and rebel candidates are trying to take control of the local areas by flexing their muscles.
In the latest incident, president of Swechchhasebok League Adabaria union unit Ashraf Fakir, 40, was killed and 50 others were injured in clashes between the supporters of UP chairman candidates at Baufal and Patuakhali Sadar upazila on Monday night.
The victim was also a cousin of Shamsul Haque Fakir, AL nominated chairman candidate in the election to Adabaria UP under Baufal upazila. Police said Ashraf along with the supporters of Shamsul Haque Fakir went to Jahirul Haque Masjid area for campaigning on behalf of the AL nominated candidate.
Suddenly, the supporter of rival chairman candidate Jahangir Ullah equipped with sharp weapons attacked them, leaving Ashraf and others injured. The local people rushed Ashraf to Baufal Upazila Health Complex where the doctor declared him dead.
At present, the election battle looks to be between the candidates of the two major political camps-the ruling Awami League and the BNP-as the Jatiya Party of Ershad seems to be nowhere in the election field.
Meanwhile, the ruling party seems very much serious about winning the battle of ballot in the UP polls. And for that reason, the AL may deffer the date of the party council which is scheduled to be held on March 28.
“The date of party’s central council may be changed due to UP elections. The final decision, however, will be taken in this regard in the meeting of party’s central executive committee’s next meeting,” AL leader Mahabubul Alam Hanif said.
The first and second phases of UP polls will be held on March 22 and March 31 respectively. The third phase election will be held on April 23 where last date of nomination withdrawal is March 27, according to Election Commission.
