Chittagong: Former Awami Leaguer M Manzur Alam submitted his nomination Thursday as BNP candidate for contesting the upcoming mayoral election on June 17, with the divisive local unit of the opposition party eventually throwing its full weight behind him.

Under the BNP-backed ‘Chattagram Unnayan Andolan’ banner, Manzur submitted his nomination papers to returning officer Jasmine Tuli around 3:30pm.

During his nomination filing, he was accompanied by Chittagong City BNP president Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, general secretary Shahadat Hossain and Chittagong south district BNP president Zafrul Islam Chowdhury, Convener and member-secretary of the Chattagram Unnayan Andolan Professor Abul Kashem Chawdhury and industrialist Shamsul Alam.

Earlier, Amir Khasru, in a bid to minimize internal conflict of the party unit, asked its top leaders to be with Manzur during submission of nomination papers.

The conflict mounted as some leaders of the unit started opposing the decision of the party to nominate the newcomer, Manzur, for the coveted post of mayor of the port city.

While submitting papers, Manzur Alam asked the returning officer how panel mayor of the city corporation Zahirul Alam Dobhash, also a mayoral candidate now, has been allowed to act as Mayor in the run-up to the polls.

The Returning Officer replied, “The step has been taken as per the election code.”

Later, Manzur Alam told journalists that BNP has no hitch within its house right now. “We all are united to fight for the upcoming mayoral election on June 17.”  

Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said to the reporters that the CCC mayoral election is an “acid test” for the ruling party, Awami League.

He added, “We will observe whether the polls be free, fair and impartial. We are participating in the election to keep the democratic process running.”

The former commerce minister was upbeat about their win in the race. “We will get people’s verdict,” he said.

BDST 0450 hrs May 20, 2010
RDG/RS/MUA