The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The 9th parliamentary election becomes nightmare for the bigwigs of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami.

The heavyweights, who were once supposed to be the nightmares for the rivals, become speechless after being beaten by the unknown Awami League candidates. The names of the so-called reformists of BNP are also in the defeated list.

The BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia however was able to win in three constituencies.

Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, the high-profile BNP leader from Rauzan, who has been con troversial for his anti-Liberation War role, as well as remarks often verging on the edge of obscenity, and intimidation of the Hindu voters in order to gain electoral advantage, lost to grand alliance candidate Hasan Mahmud in Chittagong-6 and tasted defeat for the first time. He however has won in Chittagong-2.

BNP's Saifur Rahman who had an easy-sailing track record from his Sylhet constituencies surrendered to the grand alliance's AMA Muhith in Sylhet-1 and Syed Mohosin Ali in Moulvibazar-3. He lost his lustre by black money scandal, despite being finance minister for more than a decade.

Former law minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed suffered a marginal defeat at the hands of grand alliance's Obaidul Quader in Noakhali-5.