The difference between the two allies may lead to an end of 'absolute control' of BNP in the district for long, political analysts said.

They said Jamaat is 'determined' to capture at least one Jatiya Sangsad seat out of four in the district. Their prime target is Kushtia-2, claiming that alleged irregularities by immediate past BNP lawmaker Shahidul Islam and a section of his party men have earned displeasure of people. This may be bad for the two parties in three other constituencies, they said.

Incidents of attack and threat of journalists, allegedly by Shahidul's men in recent past, are topics of discussion in political circles in Kushtia.

Cashing in on BNP's situation in the area and 'good organisational network', Jamaat is now demanding alliance ticket for a party man there, the analysts said.

Jamaat leaders there claimed that BNP's victory in the last election was mainly due to a large number of Jamaat votes. "Most party leaders and activists demand a party nominee this time and are unwilling to work for BNP leader Shahidul Islam", a front ranking Jamaat leader in Kushtia told this correspondent.

Shahidul, president of Kushtia district BNP, was elected from the constituency in last three consecutive elections including the February 15 polls in 1996.

"Jamaat has demanded Kushtia-2 seat because of repeated pressure of its leaders, activists and supporters," said Kushtia Jamaat Ameer Abdul Wahid, also a nomination aspirant.

Shahidul's irregularities and alleged sheltering musclemen tarnished image of the four-party alliance and this was discussed at Jamaat's party meetings at all levels, he claimed. "They raised voices against him", he added.

Sources also claimed that a good number of Jamaat supporters did not vote for Shahidul in 2001 election and they will not vote for him in the coming election also even if he is nominated.

Political analysts said that in the coming polls, alliance candidate, whether from BNP or Jamaat, will have a tough fight even if he polls all votes of BNP and Jamaat because BNP's Shahidul won the seat in last election with a small margin.

In 1996 election, BNP candidate Shahidul got 33 per cent of total 1,94,740 votes while Awami League's Mahbubul Alam Hanif got 14.66 per cent, Jatiya Samajtantric Dal's (JSD) Hasanul Haq Inu 13.52 per cent and Jatyia Party's (JP) Ahsan Habib Linkon got 20.59 per cent. Jamaat Amir Abdul Wahid got 15.73 per cent votes.

In 2001 election, alliance candidate Shahidul got 39.79 per cent votes out of total 256,681, adding Jamaat's votes. Hanif got 34.72 per cent, Inu got 15.38 per cent and Linkon got 10.02 per cent.

The calculation gives a brighter picture for the 14-party alliance if it can field one candidate on the basis of consensus, the analysts said. Its candidate may poll more than 50 per cent votes in the coming election. Moreover, 4-party alliance candidate's votes may decrease because of the row over nomination between BNP and Jamaat, they claimed.

When contacted, BNP leader Sahidul declined to make any comment in this regard.