Bangladesh Labour Party has withdrawn support for its candidate, Jagadish Barua, in Cox’s Bazar-3 (Sadar-Ramu-Eidgaon) constituency just two days before election.
In a letter signed by the party’s Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Labour Party formally notified the Cox’s Bazar District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Md Abdul Mannan on Tuesday.
The letter stated that the withdrawal was based on party discipline and organisational decisions made by the party’s National Executive Committee and the Election Management Committee.
The party also requested that the returning officer take necessary legal measures to ensure Jagadish does not use the Labour Party’s name, symbol, or identity for campaigning, appointing polling agents, or any other election-related activities.
However, Returning Officer Mannan, clarified that under the Representation of the People Order (RPO), such a request has no legal standing once the official deadline for the withdrawal of candidacies has passed.
He confirmed that election preparations are finalised and ballot papers have already been printed, meaning no further changes can be made.
Jagadish was previously associated with BNP before forming his own political organisation, the ‘Mongol Party’, which failed to receive Election Commission approval.
During the Awami League government’s tenure, Jagadish also attempted to contest the presidency, though he was not permitted to purchase nomination papers. For the 13th Parliamentary Election, he had secured a nomination from the Bangladesh Labour Party.
