Alliance with JP to sweeppolls in greater Rangpur

With JP (Ershad) on board, the alliance will have a landslide victory in greater Rangpur in coming election, bringing about a great change in the political scenario, they said.

A number of AL ticket aspirants in different constituencies in the

region were however skeptical, fearing that they might be deprived of nomination as JP would demand all Jatiya Sangsad seats except 3 or 4 in greater Rangpur region.

AL should keep some of the constituencies for party candidates in the region, the aspirants said while talking to this correspondent yesterday.

Former parliament member from Rangpur-5 constituency (Miuthapukur upazila) HN Ashiqur Rahman, who is also treasurer of central Awami League, said Jatiya Party's joining the grand alliance would 'help free the country from clutches of BNP-Jamaat misrule'.

"Awami League leaders must sacrifice for greater interest of the nation as change in politics is the prime need at the moment", he said over telephone.

"Once there is some qualitative change in politics, socio-economic condition (of people in the region) will change gradually.

"We should place national interest above party interest", he said.

Ashiqur Rahman was defeated by JP candidate Shah Mohammad Solaiman Alam in 2001 from Rangpur-5. He however won the 1996 byelection defeating JP candidate Shah Alam.

Former joint secretary of Rangpur district Awami League Mosaddeque Hosain Bablu said, 14-party alliance will be stronger with JP's joining.

He said, "The BNP-led alliance patronised Islamist militants who created chaos in the country during last five years. We need more strength to neutralise them and Jatiya Party's joining will be a positive factor in this regard."

Kurigram Awami League president Maj. Gen. (Rtd) AMS Amin said all major political parties have come on the same platform to 'foil the BNP-Jamaat conspiracy to return to power any how. Amin, also a member of AL advisory committee, said, "Anti-liberation forces have united to destroy the spirit of LiberationWar. We welcomed Ershad as he has vowed to join us in the fight."

Asked about nomination, he said, "I am not thinking about nomination right now. Rather, all AL leaders are now seriously thinking how to save the country from a conspiracy and carry forward the democratic process. "

Amin lost to Jatiya Party candidate Tajul Islam Chowdhury in 2001 election from Kurigram-2 (Sadar upazila) constituency with about 19000 votes.

Lalmonirhat Awami League secretary Motiur Rahman said 14-party alliance candidates will win in all constituencies in five northern districts if JP stays with it till the election.

Rangpur JSD president Dr. Ekramul Hoque Swapan declined to make any comment about Ershad's joining 14-party alliance.

"It is too early to comment on it because we are to look into the ground on which JP joined the alliance."

Goutom Roy, acting secretary of district JSD however said, "We hail Ershad as he wants to fight to keep the democratic process on".