B'baria JaPa candidate quits election race for father-in-law

BRAHMANBARIA, Dec 29 (UNB): Jatiya Party (JaPa) candidate under the Awami League (AL)-led Grand Alliance for Brahmanbaria-2 constituency (Sarail and Ashuganj) Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan has finally quit the election race, lending his support to his father-in-law Ziaul Huq Mridha who is also contesting the election from the seat as an independent candidate.

Rezaul made the announcement at a press briefing at Muktijoddha Sangsad in the upazila headquarters on Friday afternoon.

Earlier, failing to contest the election as a Grand Alliance candidate, incumbent JaPa MP Ziaul Huq Mridha decided to contest the polls as an independent runner.

On the other hand, Ziaul's son-in-law and also JaPa central leader Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan got the ticket from the Grand Alliance and was contesting the polls with party symbol 'Plough' against his father-in-law, who is contesting with 'Lion' symbol.

At the press briefing, Rezaul said, "I was made the Grand Alliance candidate.

But, a vested quarter is continuously conspiring to obstruct the Grand Alliance's victory and just to prevent that, I'm giving my support to my father-in-law."

He also said he had no dispute in his family, but there was a political dispute regarding the nomination. "I thought that the people of Sarail would accept me, but didn't happen so.

Respect to locals' opinions. I'm quitting the election race."

Ziaul Haque Mridha said, "We've realised that it's not possible to divide water and blood. So, we got together Friday."

He also said a conspiracy was going on over the Sarail-Ashuganj constituency. "We need to end this game. That's why I congratulate him (Rezaul) on behalf of the people of Sarail and Ashuganj."