PARTHA PRATIM BHATTACHARJEE

The upazila election has exposed how neither of the two major parties, the Awami League and BNP, has full control over the grassroots leaders.

The ruling AL asked its lawmakers to make sure their relatives do not compete in the upazila parishad election, but at least 50 relatives of AL MPs are in the first phase of the election to be held in 150 upazilas on May 8.

The BNP has shunned the election and expelled 77 local leaders in the first and 61 in the second phase of the election. The party is also distributing flyers among people, urging them to boycott the polls.

Despite the harsh measures, at least 50 local BNP leaders are on campaign trails, running for different posts in the upazila parishad in the third phase of the election, scheduled for May 29.

Seeing its instructions fall on deaf ears, the AL is no longer threatening its leaders with harsh measures. The party also narrowed the definition of “relatives” to just children and spouses.

The BNP still maintains that it will expel leaders who participate in the polls. Insiders say that if a significant number of expelled BNP leaders get elected in the early phases, an even greater number of party members will participate later.

In the first phase of the polls, 24 grassroots BNP leaders are running for chairman, 21 for vice-chairman, and 19 for female vice-chairman, according to the party.

In the second phase of upazila election to be held in 160 upazilas on May 21, 26 BNP grassroots leaders are vying for chairman, 19 for vice-chairman, and 16 for female vice-chairman post.

Contacted, BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy “The [BNP] men who are participating are just over enthusiastic about the election. They want to compete in any election that comes along the way. Also, in many places, Awami League leaders have fielded BNP men to strategically beat the opponents from their own party.”

He also alleged that the ruling party is offering money to local BNP leaders who would be willing to compete in the election.

Asked if the expulsions could weaken the party, Gayeshwar said his party’s local leaders have nothing to gain from the polls. “Before deciding to boycott the polls, we did a survey on what the grassroots leaders want. Their sentiments have been reflected in our decision.”

Mirza Abbas, another BNP standing committee member, yesterday told a programme in front of Jatiya Press Club that the Upazila Parishad election was a trap that the BNP had not fallen into.

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