Former minister and Jatiya Party (JP) chairman Anwar Hossain Manju has announced that he will not contest in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. He cited physical illness as the reason for his withdrawal. Manju had earlier collected nomination papers for the Pirojpur-2 constituency, which includes Kawkhali, Bhandaria, and Nesarabad, but confirmed to the media on Monday that he would not submit them.

The nomination papers were collected on December 24 from the office of the assistant returning officer and upazila executive officer in Bhandaria. Senior leaders from JP’s local units and affiliated organizations were present at the time. On Sunday, a human chain was organized in Pirojpur under the banner of “Chhatra-Janata,” demanding the cancellation of Manju’s candidacy and his arrest over allegations of collaboration with the Awami League and involvement in violence during the July uprising.

Anwar Hossain Manju has been elected seven times from Pirojpur-2 and has served in multiple ministries. He and Anisul Islam Mahmud recently launched a new political alliance, the National Democratic Front (NDF), comprising 18 parties, which has already announced its candidates for the election.