zilla parishad polls
Its AL versus AL
Abu Jakir
The Awami League (AL) is in some discomfort over Wednesdays zilla parishad (district council) election, as the party high-ups have failed to tame its rebel candidates. Many AL district leaders and party-backed former administrators have submitted their nomination papers to contest the poll.
The election will be held through indirect votes on December 28 for the first time. It means that representatives of the local government administration will be able to cast their votes. Ruling party candidates can easily secure victory as most representatives of the local government administration are from the AL. Other major political partiesBangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jatiya Party (JP)have already declared that they would not participate in the local body election. As a result, the main contest will be held between the grassroots leaders of the ruling party. The indirect voting will be held in 61 districts in which at least 25 chairmen have already been elected unopposed. Some 65,000 elected representatives are set to cast their votes in the 61 districts.
Earlier, over 700 AL district leaders sought nomination from the party high-ups. They announced the names of party-backed candidates. But in most of the districts, the grassroots leaders are still in the race, violating party instructions.
Party insiders said the AL high-ups would not take any organisational steps against the rebel leaders before the next general election. The partys central leaders are currently visiting different districts to tame rebel candidates who are still in the race to the zilla parishad seats, added the insiders.
SM Jamal Abdun Naser, an AL district leader in Jamalpur, yesterday said, Though the party high-ups have selected one candidate for the district, three of our partys district leaders are still in the race. We met party chief Sheikh Hasina last week and told her about the situation. She assured us that the problem would be resolved.
He also said some central leaders, headed by AL organising secretary Ahmed Hossain, are currently in the district to tame rebel leaders.
The party insiders said most districts are facing a similar situation. AL grassroots leaders are contesting each other in the coming polls at least in 36 districts, they added.
When asked, AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said, As the zilla parishad election will be held without party banners, anyone can contest it.
AL presidium member Kazi Zafarullah said the party high-ups have selected candidates considering their party posts. He echoed Hanif, Since the election will be held without party banners, anyone can contest it. That is why we will not take any action against rebel party candidates this time. The campaigning ended yesterday midnight, following the Election Commissions instructions. Talking to reporters at the EC secretariat, election commissioner Md Shahnewaz said no irregularities will be allowed in the zilla parishad poll. Local lawmakers have already been asked to leave their respective constituencies so that the election can be held impartially.
