Amini backs down on polls issue

Amini, chairman of the Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ), told The Daily Star that he would support any candidature for the constituency, nominated by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, although his party decided to field Ehtesham Sarwar Chowdhury.

"But I must say if Ehtesham Sarwar Chowdhury gets four-party nomination, it will be easy to win the polls."

At a press conference on Thursday, the IOJ announced the candidature of Ehtesham for the by-election to Netrokona3 seat that fell vacant with the death of BNP lawmaker Nurul Amin Talukder.

The press conference elicited immediate reaction from the BNP policymakers, as the Prime Minister's Office asked the IOJ not to hold it.

A BNP policymaker said: "It's a clear breach of commitment and we cannot allow Amini to create troubles from within the alliance."

Although the prime minister did not announce the nomination of a common candidate from the alliance, Khadiza Amin, wife of late Nurul Amin, is likely to be fielded for the by-polls slated for August 21.

Amini on July 2 caused a stir by offering to resign from the Jatiya Sangsad in protest at the non-inclusion of his party representative in the cabinet, but backtracked on his decision after a meeting with Khaleda on July 8.