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Councillor aspirants clash in front of Atiqul
Staff Correspondent
AL supporters of two DNCC councillor candidates engaged in a clash in Gulshan-1 area yesterday, while mayoral candidate of the party Atiqul Islam was present.
Supporters of AL-backed councillor Md Nasir of ward-20 and the “rival AL” candidate Jahidur Rahman Dulal hurled chairs at each other at around noon, injuring several activists.
The incident happened while Atiqul was talking to journalists regarding the upcoming election, before starting his campaign from Shaheed Dr Fazle Rabbi Park in Gulshan.
Supporters following Nasir, the AL-backed councillor and also the incumbent, started gathering around the park amid rain at 11am during Atiqul’s campaign. Meanwhile, the rival group -- led by Dulal -- joined, chanting slogans for “boat” (AL’s electoral symbol) and at one point, the two groups locked in a scuffle. The incident lasted around 10 minutes.
Atiqul Islam was escorted by his supporters from the park, who then started moving towards Mohakhali Saattola Slum via Niketon, to continue the campaign.
According to local AL leaders, the party gave a list on December 29 last year endorsing its councillor candidates at different wards. Dulal’s name was on the list at first, but later, AL gave support to incumbent councillor Nasir, and this triggered the rivalry.
Contacted, Dulal, also the general secretary of ward-20, said, “We were chanting slogans from the audience in one side, and supporters of Nasir were at the other end. They surrounded the stage where the mayoral candidate Atiqul Islam was present.”
“We could not go close to the stage. At one point, they came attacking us with chairs. Ashraf Ali Sarder, Banani thana Awami League vice president, sustained head injuries and broke his fingers. At least three of our men got severely injured and hospitalised, including Asraf,” he alleged.
Contacted, Nasir said, “Dulal and their supporters joined the programme at the last minute, and they were the ones who started throwing chairs to create a scene. At least three men from our side also got injured.”
Talking to journalists regarding the matter at Mohakhali area, Atiqul said, “This is not expected at all. People will not see this in a positive light.”
“I informed the leaders to look into the matter. If we can keep harmony (within ourselves), then people will welcome us,” he said regarding steps taken from his side.
Terming it an “untoward incident”, he also said, “It was not a clash between AL and BNP. It is a misunderstanding among ourselves. It’s a big congregation and such an incident may take place; however, it is not expected.”
Level playing field on Ishraque’s mind
Staff Correspondent
With only two days to go for Dhaka city corporation elections, BNP’s mayoral nominee for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Ishraque Hossain spent a hectic day of electioneering, raising a strong demand for establishing level playing field.
“There is no level playing field ahead of the elections. Because of this, we are afraid that this city corporation elections will be another joke, like all previous elections [during the incumbent government’s regime],” Ishraque said.
He was speaking at a mass rally in front of Jubo Dal’s office at Bangshal, before starting his yesterday’s campaign in different parts of Old Dhaka.
“A mass uprising has spread across the country in favour of us, so none could stop such public spirits,” said Ishraque, son of former undivided Dhaka City Corporation mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka.
Calling upon people to cast their votes on election day, he said, “Don’t be afraid, don’t feel threatened; all of you are the owners of this country, so you will have to cast votes on February 1, to restore democracy again in the country -- which was the spirit of our Liberation War.”
After ending the rally at around 3pm, Ishraque went door-to-door for over six hours in different areas amid inclement weather, including Wari, Sutrapur, Gendaria, Laxmi Bazar, Jagannath University and Ray Shaheb Bazar intersection consequently.
In the evening, his campaign gained momentum with the participation of an increasing number of BNP leaders and activists, halting traffic on many spots.
Ishraque, holding a sheaf of paddy [BNP’s electoral symbol], shook hands with people, hugged them, exchanged greetings, and distributed leaflets.
As loudspeakers blared songs in favour of the candidate, enthusiastic leaders and activists showered flower petals on him from both sides of the streets.

Rain can’t dampen Tabith’s confidence
Staff Correspondent
Although the weather was cloudy and foggy yesterday, election campaign of the city corporation polls continued in full swing amid enthusiasm and festivity.
BNP mayor candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Tabith Awal started his campaign around 11am amid drizzles, and he carried it out till the afternoon by covering several areas in the capital, including Gulshan, Shahjadpur and Mohakhali.
The BNP leader exuded confidence as he said their party is getting more and more public support, and he is confident about victory in the polls.
He, however, reiterated his apprehension about a favourable polls environment and neutrality of Election Commission (EC).
“I have been going to people’s door to door amid rain and bad weather, and I have got a huge positive response. The voters have listened to me and gave assurances,” said Tabith at a rally in Shahjadpur.
“The way we are getting more and more support from the voters, victory of ‘sheaf of paddy’ [electoral symbol of BNP] cannot be resisted,” he added.
About the role of the EC, the BNP candidate said the commission knows what to do and what to deal with to ensure a free and fair election.
“So, the commission should ensure that all voters can cast their votes without fear,” he said.
He also said no attack or violence will be able to resist him from participating in the polls.
Meanwhile, at another rally of Tabith’s campaign in Noyatola, BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said people have lost their confidence in the Awami League-led government.
He also said people want to see young leadership. “That’s why, they will vote for an honest and eligible candidate like Tabith.”
BNP councillor candidates in those areas and several other leaders of the party were also present during the campaign.
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