Staff Correspondent: BNP is already preparing a list of candidates by reserving some seats in view of the 12th National Parliament elections to be held in February. In that list, Faridpur-1 (Madhukhali, Boalmari and Alfadanga) seat has now come under special discussion. Because the son of Faridpur`s legendary politician Barrister Syed Kamrul Islam Mohammad Salehuddin, current president of Bangladesh Justice Party and Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Dr. Syed Javed Mohammad Salehuddin has emerged as the party`s potential candidate in this seat.

The name of the Salehuddin family has been spoken with respect in Faridpur politics for many decades. Barrister Salehuddin was elected MNA as an Awami League candidate in the 1970 Pakistan National Assembly elections, defeating the then minister Abdus Salam Khan. As a member of the post-liberation Constituent Assembly, he signed the original constitution of Bangladesh. However, in the first national parliament election of 1973, when the Awami League did not nominate him due to criticism of his Indian expansionist role, he became an independent candidate and defeated Awami League Vice President and Minister Gour Chandra Bala by a huge margin in the Faridpur-3 (present Faridpur-1) constituency. Later, he joined the NAP led by Maulana Bhashani and played an active role in the opposition in the first parliament.

Later, Barrister Salehuddin actively assisted in the formation of BNP under the leadership of martyred President Ziaur Rahman. In 1981, he founded the Bangladesh Justice Party and participated in the anti-dictatorship movement as a member of the 12-party unity alliance. Although he died in 1983, the party was politically active at various times. The Justice Party is currently participating in the simultaneous movement with BNP as a party in the 12-party alliance.

Mustafa Jamal Haider, chairman of the 12-party alliance and former minister, said that Justice Party has proposed the name of Dr. Syed Javed Mohammad Salehuddin as the sole candidate in Faridpur-1 constituency. He said, "Our party has taken a strategic part in BNP`s long movement. Dr. Javed Salehuddin is not just a politician, he is a highly educated, ethical and idealistic person who embodies his father`s political ideology."

Dr. Javed Salehuddin is a lawyer by profession. He is a former legal advisor to the Chinese government organization CRCC (China Railway Construction Corporation) and the founder of Bengal University. He is also the founder of the "Barrister Salehuddin Technical College" established in the name of his father Barrister Salehuddin. In 2001, he was a member of the central committee of the Nationalist Lawyers Forum approved by Begum Khaleda Zia. In addition, he was one of the central leaders of the National Front formed during the Fakhruddin-Moinuddin government and was the victim of police attacks several times.

Political analysts believe that due to the internal divisions within the BNP in Faridpur-1 constituency, Dr. Javed Salehuddin`s name has come forward as an honest, impartial and influential candidate. Local BNP leaders said that for a long time they were looking for an acceptable and educated candidate who could lead in a united manner. According to them, the Salehuddin family is a symbol of that qualification and tradition.

Several sources at the top level of the party said that discussions have been held with the BNP Secretary General regarding the Faridpur-1 constituency. Positive indications have also been received from the BNP Gulshan office that this candidate of the Bangladesh Justice Party, as a partner in the 12-party alliance, is being given importance for nomination.

There is a discussion going on in local politics now - if Barrister Salehuddin`s successor Dr. Javed Salehuddin is nominated as a candidate of BNP or Justice Party, then the voting equation of Faridpur-1 constituency could change. Because his acceptance in the political, social and education-friendly circles of the area is already clear.

Local political analysts say that if Justice Party`s Dr. Javed Salehuddin wins the Faridpur-1 seat, he could win by a huge margin. They hope that this will reestablish Faridpur district as a bastion of nationalist power.