Shahjahan Omar to contest JS polls with AL ticket

The ruling Awami League has nominated BNP Vice Chairman Shahjahan Omar to contest the 12th national election from the Jhalokati-1 constituency.

“I was approached to participate in the polls as an independent candidate from Jhalokathi-1, but I refused. I mentioned that around 60 percent of voters in the area are BNP supporters while 40 percent are AL followers. If I take part in the election as an independent candidate I believe I would not gain victory,” he said while talking to reporters on Thrusday.

“I cleared my stance saying that if the honorable leader (without mentioning any name) permits me to join the election with Awami League electoral symbol boat, only then I would be willing to consider taking part in the electoral race,” he said.

Shahjahan Omar is a BNP politician and a former state minister for law. He is a retired major of the Bangladesh Army and was awarded Bir Uttom.

He was a 3-term member of the parliament representing the Jhalokati-1 constituency.

Responding to a query, the 77-year-old politician said there is no room to engage in BNP politics at this moment as the party appears to have become immature.

Following the development, BNP has terminated Shahjahan from the party and its post, blaming him for breaching the party’s discipline.