Gazipur, Khulna civic Elections

AL, BNP foresee battle of ballots before nat’l polls

The Awami League and its arch rival, the BNP, are stepping into the battle of ballots, six months before the next parliamentary elections. Gazipur and Khulna city corporation elections are slated for May 15. As the elections will be fought under the party banner for the first time in the two city corporations, the main battle will be between "boat" and "sheaf of paddy", electoral symbols of the AL and BNP, respectively.

Both parties started selling nomination forms for the polls yesterday (Thursday). Ten mayoral aspirants, including two incumbent mayors, collected BNP's nomination forms yesterday for contesting elections to Khulna and Gazipur city polls with the party ticket. Of the total 10 aspirants, seven bought the BNP forms to contest Gazipur city polls while three others Khulna city ones billed for May 15.

Although the BNP, whose chief Khaleda Zia is now in jail in connection with a graft case, had earlier said it would not join any polls without getting the party supremo released, eventually decided to take part in the ensuing local government elections to be held in May.

Therefore, the nation is likely to witness a strong contest between "nouka" (boat) and "sheaf of paddy" ahead of the next general election.  Both parties are making huge preparations for the civic polls.

Talking to The Independent, AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said his party is taking the city corporation elections very seriously, as the results would send a message to party leaders and activists across the country.

BNP organising secretary Fazlul Haque Milon said his party is taking part in the elections as part of its movement to free Khaleda Zia and for restoration of democracy.

“Our preparations are good. I hope the upcoming polls will be competitive,” he said.

Besides, insiders from both the camps said the mayoral hopefuls are trying to woo the top brass of their parties for nomination after  the Election Commission announced the poll schedule on March 31.

In Gazipur, both the two veteran leaders of the district, city unit AL president Azmat Ullah Khan and its general secretary Jahangir Alam Sarker, have expressed their hope to contest the prestigious mayoral polls.

However, AL sources said the party high-ups may give its electoral symbol to Jahangir Alam for contesting the GCC polls.

On the other hand, the BNP may pick a new face for the Gazipur civic polls. The outgoing Gazipur city mayor, MA Mannan, is not likely to get party nomination this time due to ill health. BNP is considering party executive committee member Hasan Sarker for the post.

In Khulna, Sadar AL president Saiful Islam, Khulna Chamber of Commerce president and first Khulna City Mayor Kazi Amin, along with two cousins of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina -- Sheikh Sohel and Sheikh Jewel -- are contenders for the party nomination.

But many AL leaders in the district believe the party would nominate former city mayor Talukdar Abdul Khalek, also lawmaker from Bagerhat-3 constituency, taking into consideration his popularity.

The BNP would select its outgoing mayor Moniruzzaman Moni for a second term.

According to the election schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 12, while the dates for scrutiny are April 15 and 16, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 23.

UNB adds: The seven BNP aspirants of Gazipur mayoral race are current mayor and party vice chairman Prof MA Mannan, executive committee member Hasanuddin Sarkar, Sramik Dal executive president Salauddin Sarkar, Mannan's son M Manzurul Karim Roni, Gazipur district unit JCD president Sharfat Hossain and local BNP leaders Shawkat Hossain Sarkar and Abdus Salam.

Apart from mayor Moniruzzaman Moni, Khulna city BNP president Nazrul Islam Manju and its general secretary Shafiqul Islam Mona collected the party's nomination forms for the Khulna city polls.

The party started selling its nomination from at 10:00am and it continued until 5:00pm.

After filling the nomination forms, the aspirants will have to submit those to the BNP office along with Tk 25,000 security money by 5pm today.

Later, the party nomination board will interview the aspirants on Sunday evening at  party chairperson's Gulshan office.

Gazipur, Khulna civic Elections

AL, BNP foresee battle of ballots before natl polls

The Awami League and its arch rival, the BNP, are stepping into the battle of ballots, six months before the next parliamentary elections. Gazipur and Khulna city corporation elections are slated for May 15. As the elections will be fought under the party banner for the first time in the two city corporations, the main battle will be between boat and sheaf of paddy, electoral symbols of the AL and BNP, respectively. Both parties started selling nomination forms for the polls yesterday (Thursday). Ten mayoral aspirants, including two incumbent mayors, collected BNPs nomination forms yesterday for contesting elections to Khulna and Gazipur city polls with the party ticket. Of the total 10 aspirants, seven bought the BNP forms to contest Gazipur city polls while three others Khulna city ones billed for May 15. Although the BNP, whose chief Khaleda Zia is now in jail in connection with a graft case, had earlier said it would not join any polls without getting the party supremo released, eventually decided to take part in the ensuing local government elections to be held in May. Therefore, the nation is likely to witness a strong contest between nouka (boat) and sheaf of paddy ahead of the next general election. Both parties are making huge preparations for the civic polls. Talking to The Independent, AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said his party is taking the city corporation elections very seriously, as the results would send a message to party leaders and activists across the country. BNP organising secretary Fazlul Haque Milon said his party is taking part in the elections as part of its movement to free Khaleda Zia and for restoration of democracy. Our preparations are good. I hope the upcoming polls will be competitive, he said. Besides, insiders from both the camps said the mayoral hopefuls are trying to woo the top brass of their parties for nomination after the Election Commission announced the poll schedule on March 31. In Gazipur, both the two veteran leaders of the district, city unit AL president Azmat Ullah Khan and its general secretary Jahangir Alam Sarker, have expressed their hope to contest the prestigious mayoral polls. However, AL sources said the party high-ups may give its electoral symbol to Jahangir Alam for contesting the GCC polls. On the other hand, the BNP may pick a new face for the Gazipur civic polls. The outgoing Gazipur city mayor, MA Mannan, is not likely to get party nomination this time due to ill health. BNP is considering party executive committee member Hasan Sarker for the post. In Khulna, Sadar AL president Saiful Islam, Khulna Chamber of Commerce president and first Khulna City Mayor Kazi Amin, along with two cousins of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina -- Sheikh Sohel and Sheikh Jewel -- are contenders for the party nomination. But many AL leaders in the district believe the party would nominate former city mayor Talukdar Abdul Khalek, also lawmaker from Bagerhat-3 constituency, taking into consideration his popularity. The BNP would select its outgoing mayor Moniruzzaman Moni for a second term. According to the election schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 12, while the dates for scrutiny are April 15 and 16, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 23. UNB adds: The seven BNP aspirants of Gazipur mayoral race are current mayor and party vice chairman Prof MA Mannan, executive committee member Hasanuddin Sarkar, Sramik Dal executive president Salauddin Sarkar, Mannans son M Manzurul Karim Roni, Gazipur district unit JCD president Sharfat Hossain and local BNP leaders Shawkat Hossain Sarkar and Abdus Salam. Apart from mayor Moniruzzaman Moni, Khulna city BNP president Nazrul Islam Manju and its general secretary Shafiqul Islam Mona collected the partys nomination forms for the Khulna city polls. The party started selling its nomination from at 10:00am and it continued until 5:00pm. After filling the nomination forms, the aspirants will have to submit those to the BNP office along with Tk 25,000 security money by 5pm today. Later, the party nomination board will interview the aspirants on Sunday evening at party chairpersons Gulshan office.