Kader Siddiqui barred from Tangail by-polls race

The local returning officer on Wednesday cancelled Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) president Abdul Kader Siddiqui’s nomination for the by-election to Tangail-8 (Basail-Sakhipur) constituency on charge of loan default. The nomination paper of Jatiya Party (Ershad)-backed Quazi Ashraf Siddiqui was also rejected because of loan default and that of Abu Sayeed Azad Miah (rebel Awami League candidate) for not having his signature in the affidavit. Mohammad Khurshid Anwar, returning officer for the constituency, gave the rejection orders after scrutinising their nomination papers. The by-polls will be held on March 29. Besides, the returning officer withheld the candidacy of Jatiya Party (JP)-backed Sadek Siddiqui for not submitting necessary papers. So far, only three candidates got the clean chit for the race. They are ruling Awami League-backed Anupam Shajahan Joy; Abdul Malek Miah (rebel Awami League); and independent Dr Liaqat Ali. The Tangail-8 parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of AL MP Shawkat Momen Shajahan, father of Anupam Shajahan, on January 20, according to UNB.