Ehsanul Haque Jasim :
Although there is no visible move by the BNP even after announcement of the polls schedule for the three city corporations, the party wants not to leave the field for the ruling Awami League without challenge, sources said.
The elections to Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) will be held on April 28. The deadline for submission of nomination papers is March 29.
Meanwhile, a number of aspiring candidates, mostly belonging to the ruling Awami Leaque, started their election campaign before the announcement of the polls schedule. Though they had flooded capital Dhaka and port city Chittagong with billboards, posters and banners in support of their candidacy, the Chief Election Commission, during announcement of the city corporation polls schedule on Wednesday, asked the aspiring candidates to withdraw their billboards, posters and banners with in 48 hours.
However, no poster or billboard or any other activities regarding the elections by the BNP men were seen till date. But, some aspiring candidates, belonging to the BNP, are taking preparation to submit the nominations, sources said.
The BNP believes that the EC announced the polls schedule in a bid to implement the government’s agenda, as the initiative of the city corporation polls is its ‘tactical move’ to divert the anti-government movement.
In this backdrop, the BNP wants to challenge the government tactically. The party is planning to follow the policy of Comilla City Corporation or Narayanganj City Corporation polls.
Sources said, BNP may boycott the polls formally, but they may back particular candidates silently. BNP leader Monirul Haque Sakku contested Comilla polls in 2012 under the banner of ‘Sammilito Nagorik Committee’. He won the polls defeating Awami League candidate. Though BNP formally boycotted the election, Sakku contested it after resigning from the party. “Such policy may be applied in the coming city corporation elections,” said a BNP leader, seeking anonymity.
Besides, BNP may side with any other candidates to ensure defeat of AL-backed candidates like Narayanganj City Corporation polls. Shamim Osman was defeated to Dr Selina Hayat Ivy in the polls. It was reported that Ivy won the polls due to silent votes of the BNP and its allies.
About the party’s stance in the coming city corporation polls, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said that the party has not taken any decision in this regard yet. It will take decision after discussing the matter at the party level, he added.
Sources said, BNP Chairperson’s adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo may get support for the DNCC polls, while party’s international affairs secretary Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon for DSCC and sitting mayor M Manjur Alam for CCC.
Besides, BNP may choose candidates from civil society patrons, including Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Dr Shahdeen Malik, for contesting the polls. The party may side with them. Juba Dal president Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Swechchhasebak Dal president Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, former deputy mayor of DCC Abdus Salam, former city councilors MA Quayum and Abul Bashar, Nabiullah Nabi and a handful of businessmen are also trying to get BNP support.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson’s adviser and newly elected president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain said that the the party does not fear any election race. He made the comment after a meeting with Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office on Wednesday night.
Asked about BNP’s stance on the upcoming city corporation elections, the SCBA president said that it is a political matter. It will be decided at the party forum.
