Critically-ill former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia is expected to be flown to London, when it is not clear, by an air ambulance being facilitated by the Emir of Qatar. The ambulance, Dhaka Tribune reports, is coming from Germany.
Meanwhile, acting BNP chief Tarique Rahman’s wife is now in Dhaka. Dhaka Tribune reports that Zubaida Rahman went directly to Evercare Hospital where her mother-in-law is undergoing treatment.
Her presence has triggered more speculation about when her husband will return. He has not been clear although it would seem he is concerned about his personal safety.
As Bangladesh heads towards elections in February, some interesting developments are worthy of attention. The Jamaat-e-Islami has nominated a Hindu candidate for the Khulna-1 constituency, a Hindu-majority seat.
Tthe party has chosen Krishna Nandi, president of the Dumuria unit of Jamaat’s Hindu committee. The decision was taken suddenly, reports Prothom Alo.
Krishna Nandi confirmed his nomination, saying, “On 1 December I was summoned to the headquarters, where the Jamaat ameer and other senior leaders were present. They declared me the candidate and gave me instructions. I will now begin work in the constituency.”
Nandi is reportedly close to Narayan Chandra Chanda, the local MP and former livestock minister during the Awami League government. His nomination reflects the fact that since 1973, every election in this constituency has been won by a minority candidate.
According to Prothom Alo, Sheikh Hasina herself once won the seat, but in the subsequent by-election her nominee from the majority community lost to an independent candidate from the minority community; that candidate also was from her party.
Perhaps it is this electoral reality that led Jamaat to field a candidate from the Sanatan (Hindu) community. Whether this signals a fundamental shift in Jamaat’s politics or is simply a tactical move will likely become clear only in time.
