District Awami League vice-president and independent MP Zahedi wants BNP nomination

Jhenaidah Correspondent

Former Awami League MP and district Awami League vice-president Naser Shahriar Zahedi Mahul has announced his candidacy for the upcoming 13th National Parliament election from Jhenaidah-2 (Sadar and Harinakundu) constituency. This time, he is seeking BNP’s nomination. He has said that if he does not get the nomination, he will contest the election as an independent candidate. The incident has created a stir across the district.

Mahul lost his seat as a member of parliament after being overthrown in a mass uprising by students and the public on August 5 last year. In local politics, he is accused of attacking quota protesting students and BNP leaders and activists.

According to local Awami League sources, Mahul had long been aspiring to become a member of parliament. He wanted to contest the 2007 election as an independent candidate on the Aam Marka ticket, but the election was postponed. Later, in the 12th National Parliament election, he ran on a party decision and was elected.

Using political influence, his younger brother Qayyum Shahriar Zahedi Hijal was elected mayor of Jhenaidah Municipality. After the election, allegations of irregularities in the management of the municipality were made against him. Dissatisfaction arose among local contractors over the distribution of contracting work.

On July 13, 2023, Mahul’s followers were accused of being involved in the stabbing and serious injury of Liton Mandal, the general secretary of Paglakanai Union Jubo Dal. It is known that local chairman Abu Said Biswas and Rajan Kasai led the incident.

The protesters also alleged that Mahul had ordered an attack on students protesting for quota reform on July 16 of the same year. District Chhatra League President Sajib Hossain and General Secretary Al Imran participated in the attack.

Mahul was elected as the vice-president of the Bangladesh Football Federation in October 2024. Students of the Student Movement Against Discrimination in Jhenaidah expressed their anger at this. They held protests and rallies demanding that the administration take action against Mahul.

On January 21 this year, a case was filed against Mahul in the Jessore court for allegedly selling 23 acres of land to a woman through a fake power of attorney. The case was filed by Farzana Iqbal, a resident of Kazipara area of ​​Jessore.

He is currently serving as the chairman of a private pharmaceutical company and is under investigation for financial irregularities and influence peddling.