Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) mayor candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) election Tabith Awal on Wednesday expressed annoyance over the remark of Atiqul Islam, Awami League mayor aspirant for the election, about an earlier attack on him.
He said, "Atiqul Islam was trying to mislead people about the attack on my electioneering labelling it as an internal feud of BNP."
"The Awami League candidate got frightened to see people's huge support for me. That is why he (Atiqul) tried to confuse voters saying that the attack on BNP activists was a result of internal conflict," he said during his campaign near Haji Camp area in the city's Ashkona.
The BNP candidate came under an attack at Gabtoli while electioneering on Tuesday where he and a dozen of his supporters got injured.
Tabith claimed that the attack was masterminded by Mujib Sarwar, the ruling party councillor of Ward-9 under DNCC.
"Mujib Sarwar was present there during the attack on me; they were also trying to influence police, as a result, I couldn't file any complaint with the police station last night. Now I'm waiting for the investigation of the Election Commission (EC)," he said.
The BNP mayor candidate started his day's campaign from the Haji camp area Ward-49. Then he moved with his supporters to Dakshin Khan, Gaoair and Chairmanbari under the ward. Then he went to Ward-48 to interact with the voters.
Jatiya Oikya Front (JOF) leader ASM Rab, BNP leader Shama Obaid Islam, BNP candidate for Ward-48 Mohammad Shahbuddin, and Ward-49 candidate Ali Akbar also campaigned with Tabith.
Awami League mayor candidate Atiqul Islam launched his electioneering on the day from the city's Jafarabad area of Rayer Bazar under Ward-34.
During the electioneering, he told the media that tagging paper posters and banners here and there should be banned and the election aspirants should go for digital campaigning.
He also said that he would designate specific walls to tag posters if he wins the election.
The mayor candidate said this in the backdrop of criticism from the voters about indiscriminate use of laminated posters hanging overhead or pasted on walls.
Following the criticism from the city dwellers, the High Court on Tuesday ordered to stop hanging and displaying laminated posters on city streets.
Atiqul, who has been the mayor of DNCC for last nine months after winning the by-polls, said he learnt the challenges and problems of the north city in last nine months and now it is time to solve the problems.
Referring to recent outbreak of dengue fever, he said, "It is a matter of wonder that the city corporation doesn't have entomologist, the dengue season is coming, and the city corporation will take appropriate measures to tackle the menace."
The Awami League mayor candidate also campaigned in Wards 30, 32 and 33 covering the areas of Mukti Cinema hall area, Sadek Khan Road, Katasur, Shia Masjid, Mohammadi Housing, Adabar, Mohammadpur areas.
In Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) areas, Awami League candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh commenced his electioneering from the city's Old Dhaka.
Claiming that the outgoing mayor of DSCC Mohammad Sayeed Khokon pledged his support for the new candidate, Mr Taposh said, "Mr Khokon is staying out of campaigning for me because he can't work for me in person because of legal obligation."
"He (Khokon) is still serving as mayor. So, we do not expect any direct cooperation from him. But he is always supporting me," he said.
Meanwhile, BNP mayor candidate for DSCC Ishrak Hossain started campaigning from the city's Jhauchar Bazar area in Hazaribagh.
Referring to the attack on DNCC mayor candidate Tabith Awal, he called upon the police department to work in favour of people to make the city peaceful.
He said, "You (police) have very important responsibility to play, you should play due role stated by the constitution, do it without fear. If you work in favour of people, they will stand by you."
The mayor aspirant also claimed that his electioneering was hampered by miscreants on the day at different points.
Former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Emajuddin Ahmed and BNP joint secretary general Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel were also present with Ishrak during the campaigning.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
