BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, two main partners of 4-paty coalition, are at loggerheads over nomination in Narail-2 (Narail Sadar and Lohagara upazilas) constituency in the coming general election as nomination aspirants from both the parties are in the field now.
Sharif Khasruzzaman who won the seat in 1991 and 1996 polls as an Awami League (AL) candidate was however nominated from 4-party alliance in the planned election of Januay 22, 2007 that was cancelled. He joined BNP as Islami Oikyo Jote (IOJ) central leader Mufti Shahidul Islam was nominated from the seat as grand alliance candidate.
This time, district Ameer (chief) of Jamaat Mawlana Nurunnabi Jehadi has already started campaign, raising tension among BNP men, sources said.
Talking to The Daily Star, Nurunnabi Jehadi claimed that they were demanding their candidature in the constituency according to their party decision.
He however accused Sharif Khasruzzaman for his alleged 'controversial role and anti-alliance comments' after 1/11.
“After 1/11, Khasruzzaman was not only absent from the area but also made comments in different talk shows on television channels which went against 4-party alliance and were indecent for the coalition”, Nurunnabi claimed.
Pointing finger at Narail district BNP secretary Abdul Kader Shikder, Nurunnabi further said, “Jamaat has taken decision to seek nomination from the constituency as we are enjoying supports of top BNP leaders in the area”.
Expressing his displeasure at Nurunnabi's comments, Khasruzzaman boldly said, “Not only Jehadi, expectation for nomination from Narail-2 is a dream for any Jamaat leader. “He himself lost to me in 1991 and 1996 polls with margin of 27,532 and 41,820 votes respectively”.
“This time, if the high command is forced to choose Nurunnabi Jehadi in the constituency, we will not have to wait for the polls day to know the result because Jamaat's organisational structure is weaker than before and majority of BNP activists will boycott him”, he claimed.
Khasruzzaman however admitted that a BNP faction is supporting Jamaat's candidature.
Contacted, denying his support to Jamaat, Abdul Kader Shikder said, “We can not support any candidate of BNP or Jamaat until the nomination is finalised by the central high command”.
Political insiders said Narail-2 constituency is a stronghold of AL and Sharif Khasruzzaman was elected twice from the constituency as an AL candidate.
But in 2001 polls, AL chief Sheikh Hasina ran in the constituency and was also elected by defeating IOJ leader Mufti Shahidul Islam.
However, Mufti Shahidul Islam was nominated from the AL-led grand alliance in the postponed election of January 22 after AL signed a much controversial memo with Khelafat Majlish (KM) making Khasruzzaman very much aggrieved. He instantly joined BNP and secured nomination from 4-party alliance.
After 1/11, Mufti Shahidul Islam surrendered to joint forces following several raids on his residence. He is convicted for ill-gotten wealth and is in jail now.