Failure to fulfil election pledges including development works and allegations of harbouring criminals have been identified as the main causes of BNP's defeat in all four seats in Kushtia district, traditionally considered as stronghold of the party.

Awami League-led grand alliance candidates have won the four seats this time.

In Kushtia district, BNP won all four seats in 1996 and 2001 elections and three seats in 1991 election.

The party lawmakers --Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi in Kushtia-4, Shahidul Islam in Kushtia-2, Sohrab Uddin in Kushtia-3 and Reza Ahmed Bachchu Mollah in Kushtia-1 -- also made quite a few commitments during their tenure but virtually failed to fulfil them, locals said.

Mehedi and Shahidul won in 1996 and 2001 elections, Sohrab in 2001 and Bachchu Mollah in 2005 by-election.

The BNP leaders' claim of fulfilling election pledges before the December 29 election gave rise to widespread dissatisfaction among the local people who disagreed with the claims, sources said.

Shahidul Islam who was elected from Kushtia-2 con-

stituency in 1996 and 2001 mentioned that he had prop-

erly fulfilled all his pledges during the two terms comprising ten years.

Sohrab Uddin, elected from Kushtia-3 constituency, mentioned about his election pledges that he played 'important' role to develop 250-bed Kushtia General Hospital, run a students' hall in Kushtia Government College, construct Jhoudia-Halsha road and construct the new academic building of Kushtia Islamia College.

Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi of Kushtia-4 mentioned in his affidavits that he fulfilled 70% of commitment in case of road communication, 60% in electrification, 80% in development of educational institutions.

Local people, however, came down heavily on the former lawmakers, saying that their most important commitment was to bring gas for Kushtia but it remained unfulfilled although the supply line is only five kilometres away.

On different occasions, all the four lawmakers said they would arrange gas supply for the district.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on three occasions in Kushtia meetings in 2000, 2003 and 2005 committed to

build a bridge on Gorai River at Kushtia-Haripur point but

in vein.

Two ministers during the BNP government laid foundation stones of by-pass roads, which are very important for Kushtia people, but the actual work is still to be done.

People did not favour the former lawmakers any more as they failed to carry out development activities according to their commitment, Asraf Uddin Nazu, president of Kushtia Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said.

Local BNP leaders allegedly used outlaws for various purposes including repression on the opposition activists and vote rigging, sources said.

"At least two of the four lawmakers were themselves extortionists and had links with outlawed parties. They harboured them," said Rokon Uddin, a businessman in the district town.

"Earlier we could not be vocal against misdeeds out of fear. Now it is the time to speak out,* he said.

Earlier a section of local BNP leaders allegedly patronised outlaws and used them for vote rigging but linkage between the BNP leaders and outlaws snapped as most of the outlawed leaders were killed in 'crossfire' during the last four years, making it difficult to get the criminals' help

for vote rigging this time, observers said.