Ehsanul Haque Jasim :
BNP leaders alleged that the party-backed candidates could not come out in the field of the election campaign due to repressive acts of the government. The candidates, particularly the candidates in the two cities of Dhaka, are still facing hostile atmosphere.
Expressing annoyance over the situation, Afroza Abbas, a woman leader of the BNP and wife of Mirza Abbas, on Thursday told The New Nation that it is not acceptable that some candidates could not come in the field even after declaration of their nominations valid while some others will campaign in full swing. “The hostile behaviour will hamper the atmosphere of free and fair elections. It is the responsibility of the government to make the election competitive so that all can come out in the field,” she said.
The BNP-blessed mayor candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mirza Abbas is still out of the field. He is now in hiding, as he is facing 60 cases. Afroza Abbas has formally begun the election
campaign in favour of her husband. “As my husband has not been disqualified in the polls, why he could not come in the campaign field?” asked Afroza.
On the other hand, the BNP has extended its support to Tabith Awal, son of BNP chairperson’s adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo whose nomination was cancelled, for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) polls. But, the party high command itself believes that Tabith is not a perfect candidate against Anisul Haq.
BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan alleged that the government fears if a level-playing field is given to the Awami League-backed candidates, it would face defeat. For this, Mintoo’s nomination was cancelled for a ‘silly mistake’, while Mirza Abbas could not move due to due to police hunt.
He, however, said the government wants to arrange a stage-managed election like January-5 one-sided polls. The government and the Election Commission should create the level-playing field for all stopping the harassment, he added.
BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will soon formally announce the names of her party-backed mayor and councilor candidates for the DSCC and DNCC polls.
Former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr Emajuddin Ahmed said Khaleda Zia would announce the names thorough holding a rally or press conference today (Friday) or tomorrow (Saturday) at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh in the capital or at any other suitable place. He, however, said Mirza Abbas was chosen as mayor candidate for DSCC polls from the party.
Emajuddin Ahmed is the convener of the pro-BNP professionals’ platform ‘Adarsha Dhaka Andolan’. The platform was floated for working for the BNP-backed candidates.
Leaders of the platform held a meeting with Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office on Thursday evening to discuss about finalising the mayor and councilor candidates.
BNP leaders alleged that the party-backed candidates could not come out in the field of the election campaign due to repressive acts of the government. The candidates, particularly the candidates in the two cities of Dhaka, are still facing hostile atmosphere.
Expressing annoyance over the situation, Afroza Abbas, a woman leader of the BNP and wife of Mirza Abbas, on Thursday told The New Nation that it is not acceptable that some candidates could not come in the field even after declaration of their nominations valid while some others will campaign in full swing. “The hostile behaviour will hamper the atmosphere of free and fair elections. It is the responsibility of the government to make the election competitive so that all can come out in the field,” she said.
The BNP-blessed mayor candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mirza Abbas is still out of the field. He is now in hiding, as he is facing 60 cases. Afroza Abbas has formally begun the election
campaign in favour of her husband. “As my husband has not been disqualified in the polls, why he could not come in the campaign field?” asked Afroza.
On the other hand, the BNP has extended its support to Tabith Awal, son of BNP chairperson’s adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo whose nomination was cancelled, for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) polls. But, the party high command itself believes that Tabith is not a perfect candidate against Anisul Haq.
BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan alleged that the government fears if a level-playing field is given to the Awami League-backed candidates, it would face defeat. For this, Mintoo’s nomination was cancelled for a ‘silly mistake’, while Mirza Abbas could not move due to due to police hunt.
He, however, said the government wants to arrange a stage-managed election like January-5 one-sided polls. The government and the Election Commission should create the level-playing field for all stopping the harassment, he added.
BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will soon formally announce the names of her party-backed mayor and councilor candidates for the DSCC and DNCC polls.
Former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr Emajuddin Ahmed said Khaleda Zia would announce the names thorough holding a rally or press conference today (Friday) or tomorrow (Saturday) at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh in the capital or at any other suitable place. He, however, said Mirza Abbas was chosen as mayor candidate for DSCC polls from the party.
Emajuddin Ahmed is the convener of the pro-BNP professionals’ platform ‘Adarsha Dhaka Andolan’. The platform was floated for working for the BNP-backed candidates.
Leaders of the platform held a meeting with Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office on Thursday evening to discuss about finalising the mayor and councilor candidates.
