June 12 Galachipa Municipality Poll
AL has 3 candidates, BNP, Jamaat 1 each
Three candidates from the ruling Awami League (AL) are contesting for the mayoral post in June 12 Galachipa municipality polls while BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami set separate candidates.
Candidates from the AL are incumbent Mayor Abdul Ohab Khalifa, also vice president of the upazila unit of AL, Mainul Islam Rono, secretary of Galachipa town unit of AL, and Mamun Azad, member of upazila unit of Jubo League.
Upazila AL has been divided into two factions for long -- one led by ruling party lawmaker from Patuakhali-3 (Galachipa-Dashmina) Golam Moula Rony and the other led by upazila AL President Harun-or-Rashid, also the chairman of upazila parishad.
Abdul Ohab Khalifa is backed by the upazila AL president while Mamun Azad is known as an adherent of the local lawmaker.
Mainul Islam Rono is contesting as a 'neutral' candidate.
Lawmaker Golam Moula Rony, however, said, "I have no personal candidate in the municipal polls and I will not use influence for anybody. Local people will elect their leader freely and the winner will work as the true public representative."
Upazila AL President Harun-or-Rashid said they tried to set single candidate in the polls from the party but failed.
He expressed hope that local people will elect incumbent Mayor Ohab Khalifa in view of his activities during his tenure.
Meanwhile, grass roots level AL activists have expressed concern as party leaders also divided into three parts and working separately for three candidates that may harm to the party.
On the other hand, the main opposition BNP set Abu Taleb Mia, also former mayor for the municipality, as single candidate for the mayoral post and all party leaders and activists are working together to win in the upcoming municipal polls.
"We are trying to regain the mayoral post and so, we are united in the election work," said Shahjahan Khan, president of upazila BNP.
Professor Shah Alam, secretary of Patuakhali district unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, is taking part in the mayoral election as candidate from the party.
There are 11,420voters under Galachipa municipality.
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