The New Nation - Internet Edition

Talha Bin Habib

The grass roots level leaders of BNP started lobbying for getting nomination to contest the forthcoming parliamentary elections soon after the announcement of party's Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia for participation in the polls.

The announcement of BNP Chairperson on Thursday has created enthusiasm among the leaders and activists of the party for contesting the parliamentary elections.

BNP Chairperson held meetings with her top policymaking forum and primarily selected candidates for contesting the polls, party sources said.

Most of the grass roots level leaders of BNP are now in the city and they are trying to persuade senior leaders of the party for getting nomination.

Some grass roots level leaders, who are interested in contesting the polls with the party ticket, told the New Nation that they were persuading some standing committee members for securing nomination.

Party sources said some candidates, who had succeeded in the parliamentary elections in the past have already received green signals from the party chairperson. They already started mass campaign for the forthcoming polls.

A standing committee member of BNP on condition of anonymity said BNP and other components of the four-party alliance have started working for selecting right candidates for contesting the polls.

A senior leader of BNP involved in the process of selecting candidates for the upcoming elections said, the party has already made a list combining the lists of candidates for the stalled election of January 22 of the last year and field level survey reports of the organising committees of the party.

He said the party high ups have made a list where about 2 to 4 persons names are included in the list for every constituency.

He also said the party would give priority on the suggestions of the grass roots level activists while giving nominations to the candidates for the polls.

He mentioned that those who have proved as 'dedicated' to the party and earned good image would get priority in getting the party nominations.

On the nomination to reformist BNP leaders, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar told journalists yesterday that nominations would be given considering all aspects including candidates' strong prospect for victory.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jammat-e- Islami has started selecting candidates for contesting the polls.

A senior leader of Jammat said they have already finalised the names of the candidates for the polls.

Earlier on Thursday, BNP Chairperson announced that BNP led four-party alliance would join the polls if it is held on December 28 and its demands are realised.

They included total withdrawal of the state of emergency and re-announcement of the election schedule, repeal of section 91(E) of the Representation of the People Ordinance that gives the Election Commission power to cancel candidacy and deferment of Upazila polls.