Staff Reporter :BNP Chairperson’s adviser and president of Supreme Court Bar Association Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain on Friday urged the BNP-backed candidates and the party men to come out for election campaign defying fear of arrest. “We have got a chance to give a befitting reply to the government through ballots in the city polls. The people will prove that they are with the BNP. Please, come in the campaign field. You can be arrested even from your own homes. If you are arrested from the campaign field, then you (candidates) can win the polls easily,” he said at a discussion meeting in the city. Bangladesh Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad, pro-BNP professionals’ platform, arranged the discussion at the National Press Club demanding the safe rescue of missing BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed and the release of president of Shikkhok Kormochari Oikya Jote Principal Selim Bhuiyan. Journalist leader Ruhul Amin Gazi presided over the programme. On the other hand, former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr Emajuddin Ahmed in a separate discussion at the Press Club demanded the deployment of army a week before the city elections, scheduled for April 28.Emajuddin Ahmed, who is also convener of the ‘Adarsha Dhaka Andolan’ a platform floated for working in favour the BNP-backed candidates, said that the voters would be inspired to cast their ballots for their desired candidates if the army is deployed.Bangladesh Democratic Council, another pro-BNP organisation, arranged the discussion on current situation and the city polls. BNP leader and President of Swadhinata Forum Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah also addressed it. President of the organisation MA Halim presided over the programme. Emajuddin Ahmed urged the Election Commission to create a friendly environment so that the voters can smoothly exercise their franchise and the candidates to can woo their support before the polls. “The Dhaka and Chittagong city polls are going to be held in an unnatural situation. The election is a challenge for us. There is no doubt that we will win the polls if the election is free and fair. The Election Commission is responsible to arrange a free and fair poll. For this reason, army will have to be deployed a week before the voting day,” he said. He urged the voters to guard the ballot boxes against malpractices.
