Minister has his brother expelled from Jubo League

Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman Fizar has set a rare example by having his younger brother expelled from Jubo League for being a mayoral candidate in Phulbari municipality of Dinajpur, violating party decision.

Khaza Moinuddin, youngest brother of the minister, was the president of Phulbari upazila unit of Jubo League. He is running for mayor in the December 30 municipal elections as an independent candidate under the banner of Nagorik Committee.

Fizar told The Daily Star, “I've also expelled my nephew for patronising my brother in the election. My nephew, Mohiuddin Abdul Kader, was a Jubo League member in the upazila committee. He was campaigning for my brother via Facebook.”

Ministers, lawmakers and influential AL leaders have chosen their close relatives and associates for nominations in the municipality polls by lobbying with the party high-command, party sources said.

Against this backdrop, Fizar's initiative is a rare one.

Fizar said as the president of Dinajpur district unit of AL, he requested the upazila Jubo League to expel the duo for violating party disciplines and the Jubo League did so.

“I've also held meetings with the local Awami League and its associated bodies to clear my position that I was not supporting my brother as a candidate.”

Asked about the reasons behind the expulsion, he said the prime minister and the party president nominated incumbent municipal mayor Sahjahan Ali Sarkar Putu as the party candidate in Phulbari municipality.