Prof Abu Sayeed, former Awami League state minister for information, joined the Gonoforum, a component of the Jatiya Oikyafront, yesterday and collected the party's nomination form to contest the upcoming national polls from Pabna-1.

Sayeed's nephew Abdul Awal confirmed this to The Daily Star.

“People who love Professor Sayeed want him to contest from Pabna-1 constituency, and he is likely to win big if there is no invisible pressure,” said Awal.

Earlier in the second week of November, Sayeed bought AL's nomination form for the same constituency but failed to get the party ticket. The ruling party picked former state minister for home Shamsul Haque.

Talking to this correspondent, Santhia upazila AL President Al Mahamud Delwar, said, “Professor Abu Sayeed was a senior politician of the party. His sudden decision [to join the Gonoforum] may have a little impact on the party during this election season.

“The AL supporters here are united to vote for boat.”

Sayeed was elected as an AL lawmaker from Pabna-1 constituency in the elections in 1970 and 1996. He was also a central leader of the AL.

He came to be known as a reformist after the 1/11 changeover and did not get AL nomination in the 2008 polls.

He contested the 2014 election as an independent candidate but lost.