NARAYANGANJ, May 25 (UNB): SM Akram, a former Awami League (AL) MP and present Nagorik Oikya adviser, will contest the Narayanganj-5 by-polls slated for June 26.
Akram, who quit the post of district AL convener over his disagreement with the party high-ups during the Narayanganj City Corporation polls, announced his candidature at a press conference at Narayanganj Press Club at noon.
The parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of Jatiya Party (JP) MP Nasim Osman, who had been elected unopposed in the January-5 election. Nasim Osman died at a hospital in India on April 30 at the age of 65.
Addressing the press conference, Akram said, "I was an MP from this constituency. I've decided to run the by-polls at the request of my followers."
Mentioning that he has a wider acceptability to people, the former MP said, "The people of Narayanganj want to see me as their MP. I hope, I'll win with the votes of the BNP supporters and that of other parties alongside Awami League ones."
Akram, who was elected MP in 1996 with AL ticket, said the ruling party leaders and activists will cast their votes in favour of him as AL has decided not to nominate any candidate for the by-polls.
"The BNP supporters won't cast their votes for Awami League or Jatiya Party candidates if the party boycotts the by-polls. They'll vote for me," the former MP observed.
After the press conference, Akram collected his nomination paper from the district election office.
Meanwhile, Krishak Sramik Janata League Narayanganj district unit organising secretary Abu Bakar Siddique bought nomination paper for its president Abdul Kader Siddiqui to contest the by-polls.
Kader Siddiqui, who had boycotted the January-5 national election, also bought nomination papers to contest the March 29 by-election to Tangail-8 (Basail-Sakhipur) constituency. But his candidature was cancelled on charge of loan default.
Earlier on Wednesday, Santrash Nirmul Toki Mancha convener Rafiur Rabbi also collected nomination paper to contest the by-polls.
