Himu's Window

Clockwise: Four-party candidate Enamul Haque conducting mass contact in Rajshahi-1, grand alliance nominee Omar Faruq Chowdhury campaigning in the same constituency, alliance nominee Iqbalur Rahim leading a procession in Dinajpur-3, and supporters propagating for four-party nominee Shamsul Alam in Chittagong yesterday. Photo: STAR http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=67049

Campaign Kicks Off In Rajshahi-2 Awami League-led grand alliance candidate Fazle Hossain Badsha yesterday began election campaign in Rajshahi-2 constituency. However, amid doubt about full support of local Awami League, BNP candidate former Rajshahi City Corporation mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, who is accused in five cases including three for graft, is eyeing an easy sail in the election race from the constituency. During the press conference organized on the occasion of Badsha's campaign launching at Rajshahi City AL office yesterday noon, Badsha, remained silent when asked about the doubt about local AL's support for him. “If we get full support from Awami League, there will be chance to answer the rigging in 2002 Rajshahi city polls when Minu defeated Badsha,” said Debashis Pramanik, a follower of Badsha. “But we are still in doubt about the support,” he added. But Shafikur Rahman, Rajshahi city AL acting general secretary and the district coordinator of grand alliance, assure

Today is Lalpur Free Day. On this day in 1971, Lalpur was liberated from the occupation of Pakistani forces. Earlier on the night of March 25, the occupation forces killed many people including Najmul Haque Sarkar MNA, Beeren Sarkar Ukil and Sayedur Rahman, manager of Shilpa Bank, in Lalpur.In protest, the local leaders at an emergency meeting formed a defence force comprising ex-soldiers, ansars and general people on March 27.They were provided with arms recovered from the local police station, Sardah Police Training Centre and North Bengal Sugar Mills.The meeting was attended by Omar Faruk Sarkar, Dr Khalilur Rahman, Chairman Hajir Uddin Sarkar, Dr Abul Kashem and Babu Bolai Chandra. The defence force took over the control of Ishwardi airport on March 28and destroyed the 25 regiment of Pakistan Army in a frontline battle on March 30. A total of 80 freedom fighters were killed and 32 others injured in that operation. Besides, three villagers of Chamtia village were killed as the Pakis

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

A life-size replica of the Taj Mahal, often described as the world's most beautiful building, is due to open for visitors in Bangladesh. The replica has been built by a Bangladeshi filmmaker. Ahsanullah Moni said he wanted his countrymen to experience the beauty of the Indian monument even if they were too poor to travel to see the original. The 17th Century Taj was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal. The emperor is buried next to his queen in the monument in the northern Indian city of Agra, which is visited by millions every year. The $58m (£39m) replica has been built in Sonargaon, a small town in the Bangladeshi countryside. 'Marble and diamonds' Mr Moni, who is a successful director of Bangladeshi films, says he hopes his replica, which has been built an hour's drive from the capital Dhaka, will also attract foreign visitors. It took 20 years and 20,000 workers to build the original Taj. Thanks to mod

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