He left BNP and joined LDP as its Presidium member recently.

A convening committee of Rangamti district LDP will be formed withoin days, he told a press conference at his house in the hill town.

He said the planned LDP showdown in Rangamati on November 23 has been postponed due to the countrywide blockade. A fresh date will be announces soon after the blockade is withdrawn, Moni said.

The former deputy minister explained his plans for people of Rangamati, if elected, and criticised the immediate past BNP-Jamaat government as regards its decisions on Chittagonh Hill Tracts (CHT).

He alleged that he was never called in any policy meeting of the government on CHT though he was deputy minister on CHT affairs for five years.

"I was a minister in name only and did not know what decisions were being made or plans taken up. At least 15 policy meetings were held", Moni said.

"Budgets involving crores of Taka were approved from the CHT affairsministry against various development projects without my signature.

"At the fag end of the government's tenure, Tk 19 crore was approved against development projects under CHT Development Board without approval of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who held the ministry.

"This money was embezzled in the name of fake projects", Moni Swapan said.

Asked about leaving BNP, he said, "I had not joined 4-party by giving any commitment. Joining or leaving a party is a democratic right of a person".

Replying to questions, he said peace must be established by removing the present misunderstanding between indigenous and Bangalee people for development of the area.

Development and improving living standard of people should be the first priority, not politics, he said.