- Freedom fighter's press conference in Jhenaidah-2 constituency
- Threaten to 'shoot' if voters don't vote for boat in Manikganj-2
- Natore-4 boat candidate threatens if he they votes in truck
- Kushtia-1 boat candidate also threatens to straighten others
- Social Welfare Minister warned opposite by saying breaking neck
Although the ruling party Awami League (AL) main rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is not in the 12th parliamentary election, the election activities have not stopped. Immediately after the Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule, the political parties interested in participating in the election became active.
AL’s nomination deprived leaders have competed in the voting field with the name of independent candidates as no political party has participated in the field to show strength in the field by challenging the AL. These independent candidates have become a cause of tension for the ‘boat’ in many cases. Political analysts said that although 29 parties participated in the election, no one else has the strength and popularity to compete with the AL candidates. As a result, the AL candidates are being attacked and threatened by the AL candidates in the voting field.
Every day, the workers of independent candidates are being attacked in one or the other constituency across the country. Independent candidates, workers and supporters are also constantly being threatened. Victims of threats and attacks have demanded justice from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through a press conference. Others have filed a written complaint with the election officer. Many leaders of the AL have been attacked by the people of the boat candidate for working for the independent candidate. However, there are exceptions, in one or two places, the people of the AL candidate have also been attacked by the supporters of the independent candidate.
Tahaj Uddin, former deputy commander of Harinaku Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad and son of late Ansar Munshi of Berbinni village in Chandpur union, called a press conference at Musa Mia ICT Center in the local town around 11:30 am. At the press conference, Tahaj Uddin alleged that he was beaten and injured for working for an independent candidate in Jhenaidah-2 constituency in the upcoming parliamentary election. In the written statement, the valiant freedom fighter said that on December 29 at 12 noon, he went to the local Jinder Mor Bazar for a haircut. At that time, Rashidullah Rashid, a supporter of the boat symbol and general secretary of Chandpur union AL, ran and abused him in obscene language. At one stage, when asked the reason for the abuse, they became agitated and said you working against the boat symbol and started beating him randomly. Hearing his screams, the people of the neighborhood came and rescued him. He alleged that Rashidullah threatened to kill, saying she feared for her life. He also filed a general diary with Harinaku Police Station in this connection. This happens all over the country.
Ali Iskander, vice-president of Singair upazila AL, has threatened to chop off hands and shoot if he does not vote for ‘boat’ in Manikganj-2 constituency. He made the threat while campaigning for independent candidate Dewan Zahid Ahmed Tulu at Irta village in Talebpur union of the upazila around 4pm on December 26. A video of the incident has already gone viral on social media.
The Election Search Committee has issued a show-cause notice to AL nominated candidate for Natore-4 (Baraigram-Gurdaspur) constituency and incumbent MP Dr Siddiqur Rahman Patwary.
Ariful Islam, chairman of the election search committee of Natore-4 constituency and assistant judge of Pabna, has issued a show-cause notice saying that he threatened people in favor of an independent candidate. The notice said, "Md Siddiqur Rahman Patwary, you are the AL nominee for Natore-4 constituency in the upcoming parliamentary elections. News published in the newspaper on December 25 came to the notice of the committee. In a speech at an election campaign meeting, you said, "If a member-chairman comes and asks for a truck marker vote, tie him behind his back." Because the member-chairman has been elected with the boat. They don't have a chance to get out of the boat. The statement was widely circulated in various media and social media.
AL nominated candidate for Chattogram-10 (Ward No 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, 25 and 26) constituency was accused of burning posters of his rival candidate against Mohiuddin Bachchu. For this reason, on December 26, the chairman of the election search committee issued a show-cause notice to him.
Kushtia-1 (Daulatpur) constituency AL nominated candidate AKM Sarwar Jahan Badshah has been accused of threatening voters if they do not vote for the boat symbol. He made the threat at an election rally at Moricha union of Daulatpur upazila on December 25 night. The video of his speech has gone viral on social media Facebook. In the viral video, Badshah, the candidate of the boat symbol, said, "You know and know who I am. I won't talk too much. Those who are here, you have to vote to the boat, clearly. I have that right. So whatever is in your mind, forget it and give vote the boat mark. One or two people are scolding, I'll straighten it out. After that, if I hear the opposite, I'll straighten it out. Remember."
An activist of independent candidate of Dhaka-19 constituency (Savar-Ashulia) Mohammad Saiful Islam has been allegedly beaten up. The victim, Md Sirajul Islam, filed a complaint with the police in this regard. Ashulia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) AFM Sayed confirmed the matter on December 25 night.
The nephew of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) district president AKM Rezaul Karim Tansen has been accused of beating up three AL leaders and activists in Nandigram upazila of Bogura. The incident took place at Shimla Bazar in Nandigram upazila on December 25. The injured were identified as Rubel Hossain, AL president of ward no 8 of Nandigram Sadar union, Mofazzal Hossain, vice-president and Ruhul Amin, joint secretary. They received treatment at Nandigram Upazila Health Complex. They are in favour of independent candidate Ziaul Haque Mollah's eagle symbol.
In a video that went viral on December 23, Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed was heard saying, "I am warning Golam Mortuza Hanif for his bad remarks at a meeting in Bhularhat that day. If you ever say such nonsense again, I will break your neck. You don't know people yet." Freedom fighter Golam Mortuza Hanif filed a written complaint with the district returning officer in this regard. In the complaint, he expressed fears of insecurity along with his family members.
In Natore's Gurdaspur, Mayor Shahnewaz Mollah beat up a supporter of an independent candidate. On December 25, he was beaten up while hanging a banner at Chachkoir Bazar of the upazila. The injured Nahar Rahman Dipu (21) was admitted to the Upazila Health Complex. However, Mayor Shahnawaz Mollah claimed that he did not beat Nahar, he pushed him.
An election campaign campaign of an independent candidate in Dhaka-20 Dhamrai has been set on fire. In this case, the candidate complained to the election officer. On December 28, an incident took place at the election camp of independent candidate Mohaddes Hossain in Kandaputol area of Baishkanda union of the upazila.
Meanwhile, an exception has happened in Pirojpur. Supporters of independent candidate AKMA Awal attacked Touhidul Islam Hiru, former general secretary of Pirojpur district unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), and current forest and environment affairs secretary of Pirojpur district AL. Touhidul Islam Hiru was attacked at Bashbaria village under Shankarpasha union of Pirojpur Sadar upazila around 8:30pm on December 29. Critically injured Touhidul Islam Hiru was admitted to Pirojpur Sadar Hospital and later shifted to Khulna City Hospital after his condition deteriorated.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader told reporters at the political office of AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Dhanmondi in the capital on December 28, "The attack on independent candidates by AL activists and supporters is an isolated incident. These sporadic (attacks) took place during the election. I think there is no reason for independent candidates, boat candidates or candidates of other parties to boycott the election."
ARS
