Staff Reporter :
Poll campaign in Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) is getting momentum gradually with each day passing turning the localities into vibrant places from morning to midnight.
Apart from hectic door-to-door campaign by the candidates along with their party leaders and workers, electioneering is going on through various ways, including microphones, posters, bringing out processions and holding small rallies and mass contact. Ruling AL-backed Mayoral candidate Selina Hayat Ivy on Sunday termed the BNP-blessed Mayoral runner Shakhawat Hossain Khan as a hired candidate, saying he (Shakhawat) is not a party man.
“BNP has nominated Shakhawat Hossain Khan as its candidate. But he doesn’t belong to the party. As a hired candidate, he is now contesting the polls,” she told journalists while exchanging views with people of Ward No 26 in Narayanganj City yesterday.
Ivy, daughter of late Ali Ahmad Chumka, a former chairman of Narayanganj Municipality and AL leader, also said she is contesting the polls taking all with us and forgetting differences.
She also expressed firm optimism about her victory in the December 22 elections. “I would be victorious Insha Allah,” she said.
“As both Awami League and BNP are now in filed to make sure boat’s (AL’s election symbol) victory, the win is a must. Like previous year, people will elect me also this time,” she hoped.
She also sought re-election to continue the development works, which she initiated during her tenure.
Earlier in the morning Ivy went to the resident of MA Rashid, President, Bandar Thana AL unit, and sought his vote.
Talking to journalists MA Rashid said as there is no division in AL, they are working in favour of Ivy.
“As per Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directive, we are working round the clock to ensure the victory of boat,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BNP-backed candidate Shakhawat Hossain Khan on Sunday accused the Election Commission of not taking decision about deployment of army during the voting day.
“It is the Election Commission which wants to serve only Ivy’s purpose. So it will not deploy the army. But deployment of army is urgently needed on the day,” he told journalists while visiting Amukpati at Nitaiganj in the city yesterday.
He alleged that local lawmaker Shamim Osman might influence the election.
“I’m worried as I feel Shamim Osman might influence the election. I’m seeking Election Commission’s assistance to resist Shamim’s influence,” Shakhawat said.
Replying to a query about tearing of Ivy’s posters, he said as Ivy has become bankrupt, she is telling this.
The central leaders of both AL and BNP are on the field to assist their candidate of choice and they are travelling to Narayanganj everyday to carry out mass contact programme.
Over 4.79 lakh voters are expected to cast their ballots to elect a City Mayor, 27 Ward Councillors and nine Women Councillors (reserved seats). The first election to the NCC was held on October 30, 2011, when Ivy won, defeating the then ruling AL-backed candidate, Shamim Osman.
