Tabith’s campaign obstructed in Mirpur

On the third day of the city corporation election campaigns yesterday, BNP’s mayoral candidate in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Tabith Awal faced obstruction by Awami League supporters while starting his campaign from Mirpur-1 Shah Ali Mazar area at around 11am.

While Tabith and his supporters were shouting slogans seeking votes for their electoral symbol “sheaf of paddy”, a group of Awami League supports were already coming from the opposite direction with slogans for “boat” -- the symbol of Awami League.

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A scuffle broke out at the time, during which some supporters of Tabith were injured, said Mahmud Hasan, coordinator of the media cell for Tabith’s campaign.

The incident was broadcast live from Tabith Awal’s Facebook page.

“We would like to abide by the electoral code of conduct. From our side, we do not want any untoward incident to happen. Therefore were are changing our route,” Tabith told journalists present there.

He also alleged that law enforcers did not help them during the time.

Asked about the incident, Awami League mayoral candidate for DNCC Atiqul Islam told The Daily Star, “Awami League is a democratic party, and this kind of  incident should not happen. If it did, it’s reprehensible.”

Earlier in the day, Atiqul started his campaign from Kosai Bari rail gate in Uttara and visited Uttarkhan, Dakkhinkhan, Moynartek, Abdullahpur and Bawnia areas.   

Before starting his campaign, he joined the Akheri Munajat at the Biswa Ijtema.

“For development of new wards, Tk 4,200 crore has been approved by Ecnec, and if I get elected, I will continue development work of the new wards,” he promised while addressing voters during the campaign.

In DSCC, BNP’s mayoral candidate Ishraque Hossain started his campaign around noon from the District and Sessions Judge’s Court area, and passed through Banglabazar, Shymbazar, Sutrapur and Luxmibazar. Senior BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain took part in the campaigning.

Ishraque also alleged that their councillor candidates have been facing obstruction during campaign, adding that they have filed complaints regarding the matter to the Election Commission.

“We heard five Jatiyatabadi Swechhasebak Dal activists were arrested, and then released by police. However, we will continue our campaign and won’t back down in the face of any obstacle,” said Ishraque while starting his campaign.

Meanwhile, his AL counterpart Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh alleged that their supporters and councillor candidates were attacked on Saturday evening, when he visited Ishraque’s house.

“While campaigning at RK Mission road, I went to the house of Ishraque Hossain yesterday [Saturday]. Unfortunately after returning from there, our councillor candidates were attacked,” said Taposh before starting his campaign from Shantinagar kitchen market area yesterday.   

Taposh campaigned in Paltan, Malibagh, Segunbagicha, Motijheel, Shahjahanpur, Shiddeswari and Baily Road areas yesterday.