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AL dominates, BNP barely visible
Mathews Chiran, DNCC
With elections to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) only two weeks away, Awami League candidates are dominating the electioneering scene while the picture is quite the opposite for BNP contestants.
AL mayor and councillor candidates are campaigning in full swing, while BNP aspirants are alleging that their supporters are being pressurised and intimidated by ruling party activists.
BNP mayor candidate Tabith Awal complained that polls code was being violated incessantly but the Election Commission was not doing anything about it even after complaints were lodged.
Tabith, along with senior leaders and activists of the party, started the election campaign from Panthapath area yesterday and sought votes from people from all walks of life.
He said their campaigns were being obstructed by the ruling party supporters.
Meanwhile, BNP councillor aspirants were not faring any better.
Visiting several newly-included wards (37-39) on the seventh day of the campaign, this correspondent found election camps of AL councillor candidates full of activities while BNPs’ were almost barren.
AL offices were situated in open spaces besides roads. On the other hand, BNP camps were mostly inside buildings.
BNP aspirants alleged that AL supporters were intimidating ward level BNP activists not to participate in campaigning.
MA Bashar, BNP councillor candidate in ward-37 (East Badda), who has set up a camp in his office, said, “Though we’re getting help from administration, Awami League activists are harassing our supporters. Activists are afraid to set up camps as the incumbent councillor is influential.”
Expressing concern, BNP candidate for ward-38 Jahangir Mollah said they have not faced any major problem yet, but their supporters are in fear of harassment.
Party’s candidate for ward-39 Mohammad Ali echoed Mollah.
On the other hand, Awami League candidates, who are also incumbent councillors, said they were not obstructing BNP’s campaigns.
AL councillor aspirant Jahangir Alam (ward 37) was busy looking for another office in the area. He had already set up a camp in his office. “If BNP does not have enough manpower, that’s not our fault. We are not obstructing their campaigns.”
“Those who are bringing allegations against us do not have popularity in the area,” he alleged.
In ward 38, Councillor Sheikh Selim has set up three camps so far. “In my ward, everyone is free to campaign for their candidates.”
He said they have not heard of any allegation from others. “We are focusing on our campaign now,” he added.
‘PEOPLE NOT READY TO USE EVM’
While campaigning, Tabith yesterday alleged that people were not ready to cast votes using the Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs) in the January 30 elections. “Use ballot papers instead of EVMs,” Tabith said, reiterating his party’s call to the EC.
He also expressed his disappointment at the election not being deferred for Saraswati Puja, which is to be celebrated on the polls day. Tabith called upon members of the Hindu community to “respond” to this by voting for “sheaf of paddy”, the electoral symbol of BNP.
He alleged supporters of ruling party were threatening those who will vote for him.
“But I’m getting positive response from people. They will cast their votes for me...,” said Tabith, son of BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo.
Helemul Alam, DSCC
A week has passed since the 19-day election campaign for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) polls officially kicked off on January 10, but activities of BNP candidates and their supporters are hardly noticeable compared to their Awami League counterparts.
According to BNP activists and locals, fear of fresh “political” cases, harassment by ruling party men and law enforcers and vote rigging, and the party not being in power for a long time are the major reasons behind poor campaigning.
During campaign, the ruling party mayor and councillor candidates are pledging to continue the ongoing development work in the capital while BNP candidates said they would participate in the elections to “re-establish democracy” in the country.
Visiting five wards (41, 42, 45-47) of Old Dhaka yesterday, this correspondent saw only a handful of campaign offices of BNP while the number was much higher for Awami League aspirants.
The ruling party candidates were also leading the “poster race” by a huge margin.
Rashed Ahmed, a resident of ward-42, said they only saw activity in BNP camps when its mayor candidate Ishraque Hossain visited the area. He said he saw BNP activists hanging posters at night and then leaving quickly.
Meanwhile, Awami League candidates along with their activists are going all out to woo prospective voters. They are holding street meetings and door-to-door campaigns and handing out leaflets to passers-by.
Though Dholaikhal and its adjoining areas used to be a stronghold of BNP, it is not reflecting in the campaign, said locals.
Nazibullah, a resident of ward-42, said they have not seen any campaign by BNP in the area yet.
Wishing anonymity, a BNP activist of ward-45 said they want to remain unnoticed as they fear they will be harassed after the polls. “But we have a huge vote bank in the area,” he claimed.
Abdus Saheb Montu, BNP councillor aspirant from ward-44, alleged that their posters were torn down couple of days ago and they have also filed a complaint with the Election Commission in this regard, but to no avail.
He, however, said they are conducting campaigns on a regular basis.
Sarowar Hossain Alo, AL councillor candidate of Ward-41, alleged that it is BNP supporters who are threatening their activists. “We’re still doing door-to-door campaigns,” Sarowar added.
‘CONSPIRACY AGAINST SHEAF OF PADDY’
Ishraque yesterday alleged that sensing a mass support for “sheaf of paddy” in the upcoming polls, the government is behaving outrageously.
“While electioneering, I see a mass wave of people in favour of sheaf of paddy [BNP’s electoral symbol]. People are eagerly waiting to vote for me. Sensing this, the government has become nervous and started weaving a web of conspiracy,” he said.
A Dhaka court on Wednesday framed charges against Ishraque in a case over not submitting his wealth statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Ishraque, son of former Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, pleaded not guilty and demanded justice after Judge Shaikh Nazmul Alam of the Special Judge Court-4 of Dhaka read out the charges.
The court set February 9 for starting the trial.
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