Will accept whatever the party decides: Giasuddin Quader on final Ctg-6 nomination

BNP-nominated candidate for Chattogram-6 (Raozan) and vice chairman (post suspended), Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury, said today he would accept whoever the party high command gives the final nomination to.

He made the remark at a press conference this afternoon at his residence in Goods Hill of Jamalkhan in Chattogram city.

At the press conference, he spoke on various issues, including the ongoing political killings in Raozan and the election.

For the Chattogram-6 constituency, Giasuddin has submitted his nomination papers with the party ticket.

In addition, Golam Akbar Khandakar, convener of the dissolved North District unit of Chattogram BNP, has also submitted nomination papers for the same seat with the party nomination. Both heavyweight candidates said they submitted their nomination papers following the party's decision.

After scrutiny, District Returning Officer and Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Alam Mia declared both nominations valid. Election officials said that once the final list of party-nominated candidates is received, only one of the candidates will be able to run for the seat.

Asked whether he would support Golam Akbar if the party does not give him the final nomination, Giasuddin said, "Whether I will support someone or not will be decided by the party's high command. I have said it clearly -- I will stand by whatever the party decides; simple."

"I was extremely confident, and I am confident that my high command will not ignore me," he added.

Asked about the ongoing killings and gun violence in Raozan, the BNP leader said, "Personally, as a vice chairman of the party, I wrote a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In that letter, I demanded special operations for recovering illegal weapons. Not only in Raozan, but across Chattogram, joint operations by the armed forces, police, and Rab must be carried out to recover weapons."

"I am saying this very plainly: the party has given me the green signal, that is why I am sitting with you today. If they hadn't, I wouldn't be sitting here. I have been told to move forward. This has been said from the very top level of the party. I have been informed unofficially; officially, it will be announced on January 20," he said.

"Weapons are being recovered, and on the other hand, weapons are being brought inside the country -- how will you stop that? I hope you understand what exactly I mean. Weapons are coming through the borders. We politicians, do not have the power to stop that," he said.

When asked about photos circulating on social media showing him with Raihan Alam -- a police-listed criminal in Chattogram accused of murder, extortion, and gun violence -- Giasuddin said, "If Raihan was really my associate, would his name be linked to the Hakim murder? Raihan's home is in Raozan. You have seen photos with me; I can similarly bring out many photos of him with Golam Akbar."

"Have you not seen photos of Mir Helal with Sajjad [terrorist "Chhoto Sajjad"]? Raihan is a follower of Sajjad. It is not possible for me to screen who takes photos behind me like this," he added.