Discord in ruling alliance as IOJ names choice for by-polls
Staff Correspondent
An apparent discord crept into the ruling four-party alliance yesterday when one of its constituents unilaterally declared candidature for Netrakona-3 constituency in breach of the combine's understanding. Minor coalition partner, the Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) led by Fazlul Haq Amini, announced Ehtesham Sarwar Chowdhury as its candidate for the by-election slated for August 21. The announcement came from a hurriedly called press conference at the IOJ's Lalbagh office yesterday evening, when the BNP Parliamentary Board headed by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was interviewing some 10 party leaders to choose party nominee. The BNP, however, did not announce its runner for the race necessitated by the death of its deputy Nurul Amin Talukder. The IOJ action raised hackles in the BNP and one of its policymakers said: "It's a clear breach of commitment and we cannot allow Amini to create troubles from within the alliance." "It's time to decide on Amini who was elected to parliament as a BNP nominee and used its polls symbol." The secretaries general and senior leaders of the alliance at a meeting on Wednesday night decided to field a common candidate for the polls and left the issue with Khaleda Zia for the final decision, sources said. The Prime Minister's Office also asked Amini not to hold any press conference to announce its candidate, they added. Amini on July 2 staged a drama by offering to resign from the Jatiya Sangsad in protest against the non-inclusion of his party representative in the cabinet, but backed down after a meeting with Khaleda on July 8. The IOJ chief also rejected the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Jute in a huff on Wednesday. "I did not take any ministerial position. Now I do not want to lower myself to the position of a chawkidar (watchman)," he had told The Daily Star spelling out his stand. A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Parliamentary Board yesterday interviewed 10 leaders seeking to contest the by-elections for Netrokona-3 constituency. The board, headed by party chairperson Khaleda Zia and comprised of BNP Standing Committee members, decided to nominate a common four-party alliance candidate to contest the election. As per Wednesday night's meeting of alliance leaders, Prime Minister Khaleda will finalise the nomination.
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