NCC polls end peacefully

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NARAYANGANJ, Oct 30 (UNB): Election to the newly upgraded Narayang-anj City Corporation (NCC) Sunday ended peacefully amidst tight security with maximum turnout of voters. Mayoral candidate Khandkar Taimur Alam of BNP sprang up surprise by announcing stepping aside from the fracas late Saturday night, hours before the voting started Sunday morning. The BNP candidate said he withdrew from the race at the behest of the party high command. "I was certain to win," he said and termed as unfortunate the decision of his party. "The party made me a sacrificial goat," he added. He pleaded ignorance when asked why the BNP high command took such a drastic decision at the fag end. He denied that he withdrew in favour of or to extend support to any other candidate. Shamim Osman, the other mayoral candidate backed by his ruling party Awami League (AL), smelt rat in the last minute's withdrawal by Taimur Alam. "It seems the BNP decision to withdraw its candidate was guided by its ally Jama'at. BNP has succumbed to the ill-advice of Jama'at," he said. He said the polling was not fair and accused that the administration was biased to a certain candidate. "The administration was not neutral. Hence, the polling was not free and fair," Shamim told newsmen expressing his annoyance. He indirectly blamed the administration of supporting mayoral candidate Ivy, his staunch rival in the AL without naming her. At one stage, he indicated of boycotting the polls. Ivy expressed satisfaction at the peaceful conclusion of the voting. She, however, complained that her polling agents were thrown out from three centres of Tolaram College, Mohila College and Narayanganj Club by the musclemen of her opponent Shamim Osman.