The New Nation - Internet Edition

Barisal Correspondent

Eleven young candidates are in the parliamentary election race for the first time in Barisal division creating much interest among the voters.

Eight of them belong to two major alliances and the rest three are contesting the election independently.

Besides, two female candidates of BNP have been fighting their male rivals from two constituencies in this division.

They are Selima Rahman and Elen Bhutto.

The young candidates are Andaleeb Rahman Partha (BJP) of Bhola-1 and his brother Ashikur Rahman Shanto (BJP)of Bhola-2, Siddikur Rahman Manna (Ind) of Bhola-3,Abdullah Al Jacob( AL) of Bhola-4, Asok Gupta (Ind) of Barisal-1, Mezbahuddin Farhad (BNP) of Barisal-4,Golam Mawla Roni(AL) of Patuakhali-3,A B M Mosharraf Hossain(BNP) of Patuakhali-4, Rafikul Islam Zamal ( BNP) of Jhalakati-1 Kalayan Mitra(Ind) of Pirojpor-1 and Shah Alam (AL) of Pirojpur-2.

The eight new candidates fighting the polls from two major alliances have been able to generate much interest of the voters in their respective constituencies for causing much worry to their experienced rivals.

Barrister Andaleeb is pitted against senior AL leader Yusuf Hossain Humaun while Shanto is facing AL presidium member Tofael Ahmed.

BCL leader Jacob has been able to carve out a strong position against popular senior BNP leader and former lawmaker Nazimuddin Alam.

Rival of Golam Mawla Rony is veteran BNP politician Shahjahan.

Former Dhaka University JCD leader ABM Mosharraf Hossain is contesting the poll against senior AL politician Mahbubur Rahman Talukdar.

B H Harun of AL although experienced in electioneering, is cruising cautiously against his young opponent Rafikul. Shah Alam, former BCL leader, is posing a big challenge to BNP leader Nurul Islam Manjur.

Selima Rahman, former BNP minister, is fighting a do or die election battle against grand alliance candidate Golam Kibria Tipu, Jatiya Party presidium member.

Elen Bhutto, former BNP lawmaker, defeated AL heavy weight Amir Hossain Amu in the 2001 general election.

This time also they are facing each other from Jhalakahti-2.