Rebel trouble haunts AL

The politics of Awami League in Cox's Bazar is in utter chaos ahead of the municipality election scheduled for June 12.

The situation escalated since both mayoral candidates, who have the potential to win the polls, belong to AL.

Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury got the AL ticket for the mayoral race, while his opponent Masedul Haque Rashed, an expelled AL leader, is taking part in the election as an independent candidate for the mayoral post.

The debate started when AL announced the name of Mahbubur Rahman popularly known as Mabu, as its mayoral candidate on April 15, dropping Mujibor Rahman, a heavy-weight politician, and five other AL leaders, who sought the AL nomination.

Mabu is a three-time councillor of the municipality and less known in Cox's Bazar's politics compared to Mujibor, the incumbent mayor and general secretary of Cox's Bazar district AL.

One of the nomination seekers, Masedul Haque Rashed, former organising secretary of district unit AL, decided to continue running for the mayor's office as an independent candidate.

Later, he was expelled as a member of district AL for being the rebel candidate. His sister Tahamina Chowdhury resigned from the post of president of the district Juba Mahila League in solidarity with her elder brother.

On June 1, the municipal AL expelled its 13 leaders and activists for running the race against the AL candidate.

In the latest development, Cox's Bazar district Juba League general secretary Shahidul Haque Sohel was expelled from his post and the district Juba League committee was dissolved by the central Juba League on Thursday.

Sohel is the younger brother of Mashedul Haque Rashed. He was expelled on the allegation of participating in the election campaign for his brother.

Rashed's other two younger brothers -- Shaheenul Haque and Kaisarul Haque Jewel -- are chairman of Cox's Bazar district council and Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila chairman respectively.

Kaisarul earlier resigned from the post of secretary of district Swechhasebak League unit in Cox's Bazar to participate in the election campaign for his brother.

Meanwhile, in a video clip that went viral on social media, SM Imrul Kawas Chowdhury, chairman of Haldiapalang union under Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya upazila was heard saying he rigged the votes in eight centres during the 2019 elections on behalf Sadar upazila chairman Kaiserul Haque Jewel and termed him ungrateful.

He said it while participating in the campaign on behalf of Mabu at Tarabuniachhara.

However, Kaisarul told the journalists that he was elected through a fair election. He also filed a complaint in this regard with the district election office.

Following Imrul's speech, the Election Commission in a letter to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives has asked to take action against Imrul after investigating the issue.

Earlier, AL candidate Mabu alleged that the rebel candidate has been offering money to different quarters for buying the votes.