MP Nixon accuses AL leader Zafarullah of taking money to allot nominations for UP polls

MP Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Nixon has accused Awami League presidium member Kazi Zafarullah of taking money to allot party nominations to the candidates for the Union Parishad elections.

The MP, addressing a press conference at his residence on Tuesday, alleged that Zafarullah accepted money while allotting party nominations to the candidates for the post of UP chairman at Faridpur’s Charbhadrasan, Bhanga and Sadarpur Upazilas.

Nixon's parents are cousins of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Nixon, in the 2014 parliamentary elections, had defeated Zafarullah by contesting as an Independent candidate after being denied Awami League’s nomination.

“By taking money, Zafarullah has given party nominations to undeserving candidates who are agents of BNP-Jamaat,” Nixon alleged.

Several Awami League leaders and activists of Bhanga Upazila were present at the press conference.

Faridpur-4 MP Nixon was supposed to take part in a public rally at Bhanga’s Garua Union on Tuesday afternoon.

After the announcement of Nixon’s rally, Zafarullah’s supporters, too, decided to hold a public meeting there on the same day.

In the face of counter announcements, Upazila administration clamped Section 144 at the venue of Nixon’s proposed rally.

Bhanga Upazila Executive Officer Md Alamgir Hossain said Section 144 had to be promulgated to ensure public safety.

Zafarullah could not be contacted, despite several attempts, for his comment on the allegations levelled by Nixon.

However, his Private Secretary Mamunur Rashid told bdnews24.com that Nixon was not a member of the Awami League so he had no right to make comments on allotment of party nominations.

Nixon enjoys the support of a faction of Bhanga Awami League unit despite being an Independent MP.

Refuting the allegations against Zafarullah, Mamunur further stated that there were certain procedures in Awami League for allotting party nominations.