Pro-BNP panel to boycott Khulna BMA polls

KHULNA, Mar 10 (UNB): Sammilita Chikitshak Parishad, a panel of physicians backed by BNP-Jamaat, on Tuesday announced that they would boycott tomorrow's (Thursday) election of the Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), citing threats issued by the ruling party-blessed panel.
At a press conference at the Khulna Press Club, the BNP-Jamaat-backed panel alleged that the candidates from Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad together with Bangladesh Chhatra League cadres were issuing threats to their candidates and obstructing their election campaign.
On November 22 in 2014, the Khulna chapter of BMA announced to hold its election on March 11. A four-member election commission, headed by Dr Mujibur Rhaman, was formed to conduct the election.
Soon after the announcement, the Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad, led by Dr Sheikh Baharul Alam and Dr Mehedi Newaz, and the Sammilita Chikitsak Parishad, led by incumbent BMA president Dr Rafiqul Haque Bablu started campaign for the election.