Highlights
- Jamaat-e-Islami withdraws its candidate from Cumilla-4 (Debidwar)
- Decision taken in support of NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah
- Withdrawal follows electoral understanding among NCP, Jamaat, and allied parties
- Jamaat candidate shares emotional message accepting central decision
- Move expected to strengthen Hasnat Abdullah’s position in the constituency
Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced the withdrawal of its candidate from Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency in support of Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer (South) of the National Citizen Party (NCP).
In line with the party’s central decision, Jamaat-nominated candidate Saiful Islam (Shahid) formally announced his withdrawal from the election.
The development came just hours after an electoral understanding was announced in Dhaka on Sunday among NCP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and eight like-minded parties to contest the election jointly. Cumilla-4 is the home constituency of NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah.
Emotional Message from Jamaat Candidate
Saiful Islam, who currently serves as Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Cumilla North District unit, announced his decision through a post on his personal Facebook profile on Sunday night.
In his post, he wrote:
“আলহামদুলিল্লাহ। কেন্দ্রীয় সংগঠনের সিদ্ধান্ত মেনে নিয়ে নির্বাচন থেকে নিজেকে আড়াল করে নিলাম। আল্লাহ যেন দ্বীন কায়েমের পথে আমৃত্যু টিকে থাকার তৌফিক দান করেন।”
Translation: “Alhamdulillah. Accepting the decision of the central organization, I have withdrawn myself from the election. May Allah grant me the strength to remain steadfast on the path of establishing Deen throughout my life.”
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Respecting Party Decision
Speaking later to the media, Saiful Islam said he withdrew from the race out of respect for the party’s decision. He expressed,
“নির্বাচন থেকে সরে দাঁড়ালেও আমি দেবীদ্বারের মানুষের পাশে সব সময় থাকব।”
Translation: “Even though I have withdrawn from the election, I will always stand beside the people of Debidwar.”
He added that while he may not be able to fulfill all public expectations fully, he believes the party’s decision will bring overall benefit.
Strengthening NCP’s Position
On 23 December, NCP leaders and activists collected nomination papers for Hasnat Abdullah. The presence of families of those martyred during the July mass uprising during the nomination process sparked widespread discussion in the area.
Local voters believe that the withdrawal of the Jamaat candidate has further strengthened Hasnat Abdullah’s position in the Cumilla-4 constituency.
Similar Withdrawal in Dhaka
Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated candidate for Dhaka-11, Atiqur Rahman, also withdrew from the election, extending support to NCP Convener Nahid Islam. The announcement was made through a Facebook post by Atiqur Rahman, a former central president of Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Source: Comilla Telescope 24
