Nomination papers collected for independent candidate Rumeen Farhana

Nomination papers have been collected on behalf of former lawmaker and BNP international affairs joint secretary Rumeen Farhana as an independent candidate in the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, comprising Sarail, Ashuganj and parts of Bijoynagar.

On Wednesday afternoon, former Jubo Dal organising secretary Ali Hossain collected the nomination papers from Sarail upazila nirbahi officer and assistant returning officer Md Abu Bakar Sarkar.

Earlier in the day, supporters of Rumeen Farhana brought out a motorbike procession with more than a hundred motorcycles from different areas of Sarail and Ashuganj, as well as Budhanti and Chandura unions of Bijoynagar, before gathering near the central Shaheed Minar in Sarail town. Later, Ali Hossain collected the nomination papers along with several supporters.

Ali Hossain said Rumeen Farhana worked with courage during the party’s difficult times and remained closely connected with local people for years, adding that they would contest the election with her.

BNP has left the seat for alliance partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh’s central vice-president Maulana Junayed Al Habib, who will contest using the date palm tree symbol. District BNP member Ahsan Uddin Khan, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front secretary general SN Tarun Dey, Jamaat leader Maulana Mobarak Hossain, Jatiya Party’s Ziaul Haque Mridha and others have also collected nomination papers, bringing the total to 10 aspirants.

Ahsan Uddin Khan said his supporters had collected nomination papers but he would not go beyond party decisions. Former upazila BNP vice-president Hossain Mia said Rumeen Farhana was a worthy candidate and they stood by her. Shahbazpur union BNP office secretary Junayed Khan said he would resign from the party if necessary but support her candidacy.

Rumeen Farhana said she would continue her election campaign. The Brahmanbaria-2 constituency has a total of 499,448 voters.