Dhaka, Dec. 29 -- ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, secretary general of one faction of the Jatiya Party, and senior co-chairman Kazi Firoz Rashid have withdrawn from the parliamentary elections, party leaders said.

Ruhul was scheduled to submit his nomination papers for the Patuakhali-1 constituency, comprising Dumki, Patuakhali Sadar and Mirzaganj Upazilas.

Firoz, meanwhile, was set to contest from the Dhaka-6 seat.

Speaking to bdnews24.com on Monday night, Firoz said: "I am not contesting in the election for personal reasons."

When contacted, Ruhul's personal assistant Maruf Hossain said the leader would not take part in the polls "for different reasons".

Asked why the two leaders were stepping aside, a senior leader of the Anisul Islam Ma...