union parishad elections
AL MPs �flout� party order
Abu Jakir
Local Awami League (AL) MPs are indirectly involved in selecting party candidates for the forthcoming union parishad (UP) elections, notwithstanding a directive from the top leadership against doing so, grassroots leaders alleged. At an AL working committee meeting last month, the party brass had decided to keep local MPs out of the selection board for picking candidates for the UP polls, as many lawmakers had patronised rebel aspirants in the recent municipality elections.
During the municipality elections, the presidents and general secretaries of the respective districts, upazilas, municipalities and local MPs were on the selection panels. This time, however, each selection board comprises only the presidents and general secretaries of the respective districts, upazilas and union parishads. Despite this, local MP from Khulna, SM Mostafa Rashidi Suja, has allegedly been interfering in the selection process. The allegation was levelled by the grassroots leaders of ALs Khulna district unit at a press conference yesterday at the Khulna Press Club, where they accused local lawmaker SM Mostafa Rashidi Suja.
The former AL general secretary of Rupsha upazila, Sheikh Abu Jafar, alleged that party candidates were being selected on Sujas recommendations. This is very unfortunate as it will inspire other local leaders to contest the polls as rebels by going against the partys decision, Jafar added.
When contacted Khulna Sadar thana AL president Advocate Saiful Islam admitted that the Khulna-4 constituency SM Mostafa Rashidi Suja interfered in the selection process of the UP elections candidates violating party instruction which is very unfortunate.
We have already complained to the central AL leaders and some of our grassroots leaders are currently staying in Dhaka to take care of the matter, he said.
The scene was similar in Jahanpur union in Bhola district, where local lawmaker Abdullah Al Islam Jakob was looking into the selection process. Our MP has assured me that my name would be selected as the party-backed candidate for the UP chairmans post, said AL aspirant Nasu Mia.
On January 25, the AL top brass had asked its seven divisional organising secretaries to submit reports against the party lawmakers who had patronised rebel candidates in the municipality polls.
The secretaries, however, did not file their reports within the stipulated time of 15 days. AL insiders said local MPs were very influential at the grassroots level and played a big role in local politics. As such, party leaders were averse to rubbing them the wrong way.
Such blatant instances when the party directive was flouted were also evident at AL president Sheikh Hasinas Dhanmondi political office. During a visit to the office yesterday, this correspondent found that some lawmakers were preparing lists of party candidates for the union parishads under their respective constituencies. The central AL leadership had directed its grassroots leaders to submit the lists of party aspirants for the UP polls by February 15. A day after the deadline, the party yesterday held a meeting of its parliamentary board at Sheikh Hasinas official residence Gana Bhaban to finalise the nominees. The meeting was going on till the time of filing of this report.
The first phase of the elections is going to be held in 739 union parishads on March 28. This is the first time that the UP polls will be held under party banners, making these local elections very significant for national politics.
