Himu's Window

Clockwise: Grand alliance candidate Nurul Islam taking snacks during campaign in Chittagong city, procession for four-party nominee Abdullah Al Noman, BNP 'rebel' Daudul Islam Bhuiyan campaigning at Khagrachhari, foreign observers talking with Altaf Chowdhury in Patuakhali, BNP men campaigning for Kamal Ibne Yusuf in Faridpur-3, Fazle Hossain Badsha holding press conference in Rajshahi, four-party candidate Mizanur Rahman Minu visiting the grave of BNP leader Emran Ali Sarker before starting campaign. Photo: STAR http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=66897

Mizanur Rahman Minu, the BNP candidate at Rajshahi-2 constituency came out of Rajshahi Central Jail last evening after one and a half years. His family members and some 50 leaders and activists of local BNP welcomed him at the jail gate when he was released at around 6.35pm. His release, just five days ahead of official beginning of poll campaigning from December 12, made BNP activists hopeful for having strong fight in the election race. Minu who was criticized before for giving certificate to militant kingpin Asadullah Al Galib will fight against the grand alliance candidate Fazle Hossain Badsha who has already started voicing against militancy. Minu, also former Rajahahi mayor and lawmaker was freed as the high court on Thursday granted him bail in two corruption cases lodged by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Minu was held on June 6, 2007 over the Tk 1 crore extortion case with Rajpara police station. After being freed on bail from the case, he was held again from Rajshahi Nagar B

The contestants in the ensuing Jatiya Sangsad election from Rajshahi constituencies include at least four who are still accused in different corruption and criminal cases.The four are former BNP lawmakers Mizanur Rahman Minu and Kabir Hossain, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) nominees -- Mohammad Mohsin Pramanik at Rajshahi-4 and Abul Kalam Azad at Rajshahi-5.The facts were revealed in the affidavits given by the candidates.Minu, BNP aspirant from Rajshahi-2 constituency is now in jail and is likely to be freed any time.In his affidavit Minu stated that he is still accused in five cases while he was acquitted in an extortion case in which he was sentenced to 13 years in jail. He also mentioned that he was cleared of charges in two cases including a murder case.On Thursday, he was granted bail in two graft cases that are still under trial.Of the five other cases Minu is still facing trail, one for graft and one for tax dodging have been stayed by the high court.Former BNP lawmaker Ka

Five Rajshahi University (RU) teachers and two Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) physicians are voluntarily bearing election expenditure of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Ataur Rahman who is contesting in Rajshahi-2 and 3 constituencies.In his affidavit, Rajshahi city Jamaat Amir Ataur Rahman, also assistant headmaster of Rajshahi Lokhnath High School, stated that his election expenditure is Tk 8.95 lakh.Of the amount, Rahman will spend Tk 25,000 from his own income as teacher and agriculturist.RU Science Faculty dean Dr Abul Hashem and Prof M Nazrul Islam will donate him Tk 1.50 lakh each, he said.RU Commerce Faculty dean Dr M Umar Ali of Binodhpur Bazar will donate him Tk 1 lakh while RU teachers -- Dr Nazrul Islam and M Nurul Islam will donate Tk 50,000 each, he said.RMCH physicians Dr Fatema Siddika of Gynecology Department and Dr M Zahangir of Pharmacology Department will donate Tk 70,000 and Tk 50,000 respectively,the Jamaat leader said.Besides his employment at RMCH, Dr M Zaha

The polls race in six constituencies in Rajshahi has drawn candidates ranging from unemployed persons to millionaire businessmen and from below secondary education to PhD degree holders. They include some 15 businessmen, four of them millionaire, eight teachers and six lawyers.AL candidate Prof Abdul Khaleque in Rajshahi-2 attached his PhD certificate in nomination papers while Masters degree holder SM Shafiul Azam of Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) in Rajshahi-5 wrote 'unemployed' in the column for profession. BNP candidate Azizur Rahman and Jatiya Samjtantrik Dal candidate Nurul Islam in Rajshahi-6 constituency attached their SSC certificates, but CPB (Communist Party of Bangladesh) nominee Enamul Haque in Rajshahi-2 said he studied up to class IX.Among the four Awami League nominated millionaires, Omar Faruk Chowdhury in Rajshahi-1 stated his assets at Tk 4.19 crore while Enamul Haque in Rajshahi-4 mentioned his wealth to be worth about Tk 10.15 crore. Kazi Abdul Wadud D

Even though BNP leader Fazlur Rahman Patal owns a Lexus and a Nissan SUV, a Mazda and a building in Dhaka worth Tk 1.54 crore, he claims to be a farmer earning Tk 2.15 lakh a year, thus not having to pay any income tax.Fazlur, a former state minister for youth and sports, in his nomination papers for Natore-1 constituency claimed agriculture as the only source of his income. Fazlur does not have to pay any income tax, according to the wealth statement attached to his nomination papers. One has to earn at least Tk 2.65 lakh a year in this sector for income tax to become mandatory.According to the tax-return certificate, the total amount of wealth of the BNP leader is Tk 1.98 crore and his monthly income and expenditure are Tk 17,876 and Tk 14,989.The certificate states that "he has no outstanding taxes". He did not pay any income tax this fiscal year either.Fazlur owns a six-storey building in Banani valued at Tk 1.54 crore and a two-storey building on 39 decimal land at Gouri

Selection follows 'suggestion' of jailed, absconding leaders The BNP has fielded eight new faces, including three alternative candidates, for constituencies in Rajshahi and Natore districts mainly upon recommendations of jailed and absconding leaders while sidelining grassroots party men.Three of the new faces are relatives of former BNP stalwarts who are either in jail or staying abroad being convicted in cases for abetting militancy and three BNP nominees are still facing corruption charges.Former BNP lawmaker Abu Hena, who had earlier criticised those BNP stalwarts for their role behind militancy, has been dropped. Before recommending party leaders for nomination, local unit leaders did not hold any grassroots leaders' meeting that was made mandatory in the Representation of People Order (RPO).Rather, the local units followed recommendations of the jailed and fleeing leaders and sent names of their chosen persons to the BNP's central committee for party tickets.“The

Former Rajshahi mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu mentioned politics as his profession in the affidavit he submitted along with nomination papers for contesting from Rajshahi-2 constituency.However, the former lawmaker who is in jail now did not mention any income from the profession.He claimed that he earns Tk 25,000 annually from agriculture and his wife earns Tk 1.80 lakh form her profession as a college teacher.But the central BNP organising secretary showed the value of the couple's movable property at Tk 63 lakh, excluding 43 ounces of gold ornaments. Their immovable properties include 30 bighas of arable land, a 5 katha land and a three-storied building.Minu also mentioned in his affidavit that he faces three corruption cases, one case for tax dodging and a criminal case.Another BNP nominee, Enamul Haque in Rajshahi-1 constituency did not mention his government job from which he was removed nearly a year ago, apparently fearing cancellation of his nomination.Enamul is brother of fo

Liton warns others for taking the same road he rode before ! Rajshahi city Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, centre, introduces six Awami League nominees for constituencies in the district at a meeting of grassroots AL leaders yesterday as nomination deprived party leaders continue agitation. Photo: STAR R ajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, who himself opposed party decision during the last RCC polls, yesterday said the protesters against the Awami League nominations for six seats in Rajshahi district will lose their right to do AL politics.“Sheikh Hasina's [AL chief] decision for nomination is the final. Those who are protesting should stop it immediately or they will have no right to do Awami League politics in future,” he said at the party's special workers' meeting at Rajshahi Zila Parishad auditorium.Rajshahi AL General Secretary Omar Faruk Chowdhury, also AL nominee for Rajshahi-1 constituency, chaired the meeting.A large AL faction led by dis

Awami League on Friday night changed its nominee for Rajshahi-2 constituency where Workers Party Politburo member Fazle Hossain Badsha is seeking grand alliance ticket.Prof Abdul Khaleque, central AL adviser and former vice chancellor of Rajshahi University was given the party ticket replacing Mohila AL's central vice- president Akhtar Jahan.Party sources here said Prof Khaleque was selected by grassroots leaders for party ticket but the nomination went to Akhtar Jahan. Later, Khaleque was chosen again when Akhtar Jahan refused the party ticket as she would not be eligible to vie because of her government job at Rajshahi University.However, the change indicates denial of alliance ticket to Badsha, party sources said.But some senior leaders said still there is chances for Badsha to get ticket for Rajshahi-3. http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=65578

Published on November 29 at page 14 The Jamaat-e Islami demand for three seats in Rajshahi district is not gaining ground in seat-sharing negotiations with BNP making them dissatisfied. However, the BNP is fielding heavyweight candidates envisaging their win over discords in local Awami League. “If our man is not chosen at even a single seat, our workers would lack devotion during election campaign”, said Ataur Rahman, the city unit Jamaat Amir. “Rajshahi is our stronghold… The intra party rivalry in Awami League over nominations will help us winning”, said Rajshahi BNP organizing secretary Alauddin Ahmed. Jammat demanded the four-party alliance nominations for its assistant secretary general Mujibur Rahman, Rajshahi city Amir Ataur Rahman at and Bagmara upazila Amir Abdul Ahad Ali Kabiraj at Rajshahi-1, 2 and 4 constituencies. But BNP’s former lawmakers Mizanur Rahman Minu and Abu Hena are back and their nominations are almost confirmed at Rajshahi-2 (City) and Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara) co

Awami League (AL) nominees have started electioneering in all six constituencies in Rajshahi district braving division among party men over ticket to three industrialist newcomers. BNP leaders are still waiting for party nominations while its electoral alliance partner Jamaat-e Islami has demanded tickets for party men in three seats. The BNP leaders and activists, affected much in the anti-graft and anti-crime drives during the last two years, now seem to get encouraged again following the two BNP bigwigs' return to election field. The two bigwigs are former Rajshahi mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu and former lawmaker Abu Hena. AL district President Tajul Islam M Faruk is leading a party faction that is representing the nomination-deprived leaders while General Secretary Omar Faruk Chowdhury in leading the other faction in favour of AL nominees. Still AL is hopeful for winning all the Rajshahi seats cashing on BNP-Jamaat's 'image crisis'. Rajshahi-1 (Tanore-Godagari) Former

Grassroots leaders and activists of both BNP and Awami League have vowed to resist former BNP state minister Alamgir Kabir in Naogaon-6 (Atrai-Raninagar) constituency. Hundreds of BNP leaders staged agitation in Atrai and Raninagar upazilas yesterday and threatened to resign en masse following a rumour that Kabir, now a leader of Liberal Democratic Party, was returning to BNP. Local Awami League leaders also told the media that they would reject Kabir if he gets nomination from the AL-led grand alliance. Alamgir Kabir won Naogaon-6 seat three times since 1991.

A s some BNP bigwigs may not be able to run the polls race, the party is in great problem in selecting candidates in five constituencies in Rajshahi, Noagaon and Natore. Taking this opportunity, Jamaat-e Islami is lobbing hard to field candidates in at least three of the seats. As a possible way out, Rajshahi BNP has invited party chief Khaleda Zia to contest from one of the six seats in Rajshahi. "We have candidates from within the party, yet we invited Khaleda Zia run in any Rajshahi seat. We want to retain the seats we held for three terms", said district BNP president Azizur Rahman. According to disclosure made by JMB chief Siddikul Islam Bangla Bhai and police investigation, the then telecommunication minister Barrister Aminul Haque patronised Islamist militants by using police and administration during BNP-Jamaat government and barred authorities in Rajshahi to take action against militants in 2004-05. Aminul was elected from Rajshahi-1 in 2001 polls. Ruhul Kuddus Taluk

A ll the six Awami League (AL) nominees from Rajshahi constituencies yesterday showed up together to counter Friday's meeting of nomination-deprived party men, making the intra-party feud over nomination public. The candidates at a press conference at Rajshahi city AL office under the banner of Rajshahi district Awami Leageue claimed that they are stronger than their rival faction. Rajshahi district AL secretary Omar Faruk Chowdhury conducted the conference. They promised that they would not spend money beyond the limit fixed by the Election Commission. They claimed that they would be able to recover all the Jatiya Sangsad seats in Rajshahi retained by BNP-Jamaat in last three elections. On Friday, the banner of district AL was also used at the press conference of the deprived candidates. Led by district AL president Tajul Islam M Faruk, the deprived candidates demanded that the party high command should evaluate party men and place politicians over businessmen in deciding nominat

Workers' Party (WP) politburo member Fazle Hossain Badsha yesterday submitted his nomination papers and said he is the candidate of Awami League-led electoral alliance at Rajshahi-2 (Rajshahi City Corporation areas).If nominated from the AL-led combine, Badsha is likely to face BNP's Mizanur Rahman Minu as his nearest rival in the election.“I am not only the candidate of Awami League-led combine, but also the torch-bearer of mass people and all pro-liberation organisations in the area,” he told newsmen after the submission of nomination paper yesterday noon.“If elected, I will take steps for reopening the closed down industries and factories. I will recommend for a budget giving priority to poor people,” he said.Meanwhile, local AL is keeping a noticeable distance with Badsha.They have alleged that he did not take part in the campaign in favour of AHM Khairuzzaman Liton during August 4 RCC polls.In 2002 RCC polls, Badsha was lost to Minu and Badsha's suit for vote rigging a

He is now eligible to run in Rajshahi city, Minu's lawyer says Mizanur Rahman Minu W ith the news of Mizanur Rahman Minu's acquittal in extortion case allowing him to contest the parliamentary polls, BNP leaders and activists in all six constituencies in Rajshahi are now enlivened and have started calculating party nominations afresh.As the High Court on Tuesday acquitted him in the case in which he was convicted for 13 years' jail, he has become eligible for taking part in election, said his lawyer Ankur Sen.Minu will have to obtain bail in two other cases (among five others Minu is still facing) to come out of jail, Sen said. BNP leaders said, Minu will fight from Rajshahi-2 (Rajshahi City Corporation) and his leadership would help unite party units on other constituencies. They are also hopeful for winning the seat as his probable opponent Workers Party Politburo member Fazle Hossain Badsha is facing denial of local Awami League support.BNP leaders were in despair in abs

A High Court bench yesterday acquitted Mizanur Rahman Minu, the former Rajshahi City Corporation mayor, in an extortion case as the charges brought against him were not proved. Earlier, a Rajshahi tribunal sentenced Minu to 13 years imprisonment on August 28, 2008 after a case was filed by Shamsul Alam Khan-- a governing body member of the local Evergreen Model College, with Rajpara Police Station. Later, Minu filed an appeal to the High Court against the conviction handed down by the Rajshahi tribunal. Advocate Hasan Foez Siddique appeared for Minu in the High Court. http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=64012

Rallies, token hunger strike: Nominees declared unwanted Awami League leaders and activists burst into angry protests in three constituencies in Rajshahi yesterday against party nominations to businessmen newcomers, instead of senior party leaders suggested from the grassroots.On the other hand supporters of the businessmen candidates also held meetings hailing the nominations, unleashing a flurry of protest programmes and tension between AL factions.Hundreds of AL leaders and activists held protest meetings, formed human chain and observed token hunger strike. They declared the businessmen candidates unwanted in the areas and threatened to quit the party.They demanded immediate cancellation of nomination of industrialist Enamul Haque in Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara), businessman Kazi Abdul Wadud Dara in Rajshahi-5 (Puthia-Durgapur) and industrialist Shahriar Alam in Rajshahi-6 (Bagha-Charghat) constituencies.They demanded nomination of minister Sardar Amjad Hossain, Rajshahi district AL presid

Published On: 2008-11-15 Fazle Hossain Badsha W orkers' Party Politburo member Fazle Hossain Badsha yesterday hoped he would get nomination from Awami League-led alliance from Rajshahi-2 (Rajshahi City Corporation) constituency in the upcoming parliamentary election.“Politics should be the job of politicians, not of other professionals. My nomination is almost confirmed”, he said at a press conference held in the city.Talking on recent opposition by local Awami League to his nomination, Badsha said, “Anything unfair does not sustain. People will reject unethical politics”, he said. “Fundamentalists and communal forcers do not want me to win as they fear me”, he said. Badsha sacrificed his candidacy in August 4 Rajshahi City Corporation election to make way for Awami League leader AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, who was elected mayor. Local Awami League and Rajshahi Nagorik Committee promised Badsha that Rajshahi-2 would be left for him in the national election. http://www.thedailystar.net