Three ex-AL leaders enter election race as JP, JaPa, independent candidates

Ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) polls, three former Awami League (AL) leaders have filed nominations to contest under different banners, signalling a shift in loyalties and ambitions, reports bdnews24.com.
They are participating as Jatiya Party (Japa), JP, and independent candidates.
Two of the trio had previously sought AL nominations but, denied the party ticket, ran independently in earlier elections.
In Tangail-1 (Madhupur-Dhanbari), Elias Hossain Moni has filed as the Jatiya Party's candidate. Tangail-6 (Nagarpur-Delduar) sees Tarek Shams Khan Himu standing for the JP, while Ashraful Islam is contesting as an independent.
Local voters say Himu, former vice-chairman of the AL's district committee, went into hiding after the July crackdown and was later arrested. After his release from prison, he submitted nomination papers under Anwar Hossain Manju's JP.
He had previously sought AL nomination in the last election but ran independently when denied.
Himu said, "The Awami League has committed many injustices against me. I was removed from the district vice-chairman post and replaced by former state minister Ahsanul Islam Titu."
Some grassroots party leaders, however, said they were unaware of any such removal.
Ashraful, also previously denied AL nomination, filed as an independent candidate, submitting 4,901 signatures, mostly from women voters.
"I will prioritise resolving the issues of mothers, sisters and daughters," he said, emphasising women's support as key to victory.
Elias, formerly a leader of the AL-backed lawyers' association in Tangail, joined the Jatiya Party on November 13 and is running from Tangail-1 under its banner.