CHATTOGRAM, Nov 8: The probable candidates in seven Jatiya Sangshad seats in Greater Chattogram left vacant by the BNP, are now talk of the town.
BNP announced the names of the candidates of 16 constituencies of the total numbers of 23 in greater Chattogram for the upcoming 13th Parliamentary elections likely to be held in February. The names of other seven constituencies are yet to be announced.
The constituencies are 6 from Chattogram and one from Cox's Bazar.
The constituencies are Ctg-3 Sandwip; Ctg-6 Raojan; Ctg-9 Kotwali and Bakalia; Ctg 11 (Bandar-Patenga); Ctg-14 Chandanish and Ctg-15 Satkania Lohagara. Besides, Cox's Bazar-2 Moheshkhali and Kutubdia.
Meanwhile, the nomination of Abu Sufian, former convener of BNP's South Chattogram district unit, as a candidate for the Chattogram-9 (Kotwali) constituency in the upcoming national election, was halted shortly after announcement, sparking widespread speculations across Chattogram, including BNP insiders.
Meanwhile, the nomination in Ctg-4 Sitakunda constituency to Kazi Salahuddin instead of Aslam Chowdhury. As a result, the supporters of former BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury have demonstrated on Dhaka-Ctg Highway at Sitakunda for not giving him nomination from Ctg-4 Sitakunda constituency.
For this reason, BNP has expelled four of its local leaders in Sitakunda following a road blockade on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway on Monday evening, which reportedly stemmed from internal disputes over the party's nomination process.
In Ctg-6 Raojan constituency, two heavyweights BNP leader, Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury and Golam Akbar Khondker, adviser to the BNP Chairperson, are in the race of nominations.
In Ctg-3 Sandwip Constituency a total of seven aspirants from BNP. Moreover, Lt Gen (Rtd) Sarwardy, Bir Bikram, Presidium member of LDP, an ally of the BNP, is also seeking nomination.
In Ctg-14 (Chandanaish and Satkania), LDP President Col. (RTD) Oli Ahmed or his son may be the candidate from the BNP alliance.
Besides in Ctg-15 Satkania-Lohagara may be given to Jamaat candidate.
Meanwhile, three sons of heavyweights BNP leaders bagged nominations from 3 constituencies of Chattogram. They are; Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Hummam Quader Chowdhury and Mishkatul Islam have been nominated for the race in upcoming national polls.
Of them, Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, joint organising secretary of the BNP central committee (Chattogram division), has been nominated for the Chittagong-5 seat.
He is the son of Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin, the BNP chairperson's adviser and former Chattogram mayor. While Mir Nasir has been inactive in politics due to illness, his son Barrister Mir Helal is considered an influential BNP figure in the region.
The Hathazari-based constituency holds significance as the headquarters of the Qawmi Madrasa-led organisation Hefazat-e-Islam.
In Chattogram-7 (Rangunia), BNP has nominated Humam Quader Chowdhury, son of late BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, who was executed in 2015 for crimes against humanity.
Humam, who was previously a victim of enforced disappearance, is now an active member of the BNP Central Executive Committee.
