CHATTOGRAM, Jan 4: Syed Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari, President of Bangladesh Tarikat Federation and the incumbent MP of Ctg-2 Fatikchari constituency withdrew his candidature at the last moment on Thursday.
He said that he had withdrawn his candidature from the race of 12th parliamentary election to ensure the victory of the Awmi League nominated candidate Khadizatul Kubra Sony. He says his participation could potentially take away votes from the Awami League candidate.
"I am withdrawing from the election, but my candidacy still stands. Im stepping aside out of respect for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said on Thursday, three days before the election.
"I won three elections in this constituency with the [Awami Leagues] boat symbol. Ive informed her [Hasina] about my decision."
Nazibul, the chairman of Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, announced his decision to pull out of the election during a media briefing at his home in the Maizbhandar Darbar Sharif area.
In a written statement, the Tarikat candidate emphasised his "moral duty" to support Hasina, the leader of the 14 Party Alliance, and said his participation could potentially take away votes from the Awami League candidate in the constituency.
Najibul Bashewr Bhanderi has been elected law maker from Ctg-2 Fatikchari Constituency in 2008, 2014 and 2018 general elections as a partner of 14 party alliance with the symbol Boat. During the ensuing 12th parliamentary election, the ruling AL did not nominate him as a partner alliance candidate. Najibul Basher participated in the election as a candidate from his party Tarikat Federation.
Meanwhile, the Ruling Awami League decided to leave Ctg-2 (Fatikchari) constituency to Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP) President Syed Saifuddin Maizbhanderi. But from this constituency Khadizatul Anwar Sony is contesting with AL symbol Boat against the Independent candidate Hussain M Abu Tayyib, a local AL leader and former upazila Chairman. From this constituency, Syed Saifuddin Ahmed Maizbahnderi, President of Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP) and Nazibul Basher Maizbhanderi President of Bangladesh Tarikat Federation have been contesing as candidates from their respective parties.
As per decision of the Party central leaders of the Awami League convey the decision to the local leaders. But they did not agree to leave the Seat to any allinace partner.
Presently, Khadizatul Kubra is contesting from this constituency with symbol Boat and the local leaders of the Party have been campaigning for her.
Earlier the Ruling Awami league has left two seats for Jatiya Party in Chattogram and One seat in Coxs Bazar districts to Kallyan Party. Those constituencies are; Ctg-5 (Hathazari) and Ctg-8 (Boalkhali-Chandgaon) and Coxs Bazar-1 (Chakoria-Pekua).
Earlier the ruling Awami League nominated the Chattogram North Awami League President Abdus Salam in Hathazari and the incumbent law maker Noman Al Mahmud in Boalkhali-Chandgaon Seat.
After the party decision, the Ruling Party withdrew their candidates for the incumbent MP Anisul Islam Mahmud for Hathazari and Solaiman Alam Sheth for Boalkhali-Chandgaon Constituencies. Both are candidates of Jatiya Party.
In Ctg-8 (Boalkhali-Chandgaon), JP candidate Solaiman Alam Sheth is facing the strong opposition of Abdus Salam former Treasurer of the city unit of AL and former Chairman of Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) as Independent. Besides, Bijoy Kumar Chowdhury, an AL-rebel candidate is contesting as an Independent from this constituency.
In Ctg-5 (Hathazari) seat Jatiya Party Candidate Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud an alliance partner is contesting against AL-rebel Shahjahan Chowdhury who is contesting with Ketle symbol and Trinamool BNP candidate and former CUCSU VP Nazimuddin.
Meanwhile, there is no candidate of rulung Party in Coxs Bazar-1 (Chokoria-Pekua) constituency. Salahuddin Ahmed CIP has been nominated by the Ruling Awmi League. But his candidacy has been cancelled for bank loan defaulter. From this constituency, Major General Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, Chief of Kallyan party is now contesting for the next general polls. He is to fight with the incumbent MP and AL-rebel Jafar Alam.
According to political analysts and the local voters of those constituencies, the fate of those alliance partner is not favourable for victory excepting Anisul Islam Mahmud in Ctg-5 Hathazari constituency.
