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National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Tuesday warned the Election Commission (EC) and demanded punishment over the harassment of Nasiruddin Patwary, Jamaat-backed alliance candidate for Dhaka-8 and NCP’s chief coordinator, during electioneering in the city.
The incident took place at Habibullah Bahar College in Circuit House Road while Nasiruddin was campaigning, UNB reports.
He was allegedly obstructed at the college gate, faced scuffles and was later humiliated as eggs were thrown at him.
Addressing an emergency press conference at Fakirapool after the incident, Nahid Islam alleged that identified activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal carried out the attack “on the instructions of Mirza Abbas and with the consent of Tarique Rahman.”
“We want to warn the Election Commission and ask how it will act against this attack, what steps the college administration will take and what position the BNP will take as a party,” Nahid said.
Referring to BNP leader Mirza Abbas, Nahid said if such conduct continues, it will not end well in the election. “An election is a battle of words. You speak, we speak and the people decide. Why are you not allowing people to decide? On February 12, people will determine who is arrogant, who is a gangster, who is a terrorist and who speaks for the people.”
Nahid also criticised BNP for repeatedly raising Jamaat’s past, saying people have not forgotten BNP’s own record, particularly the period from 2001 to 2006. “If politics is discussed based on the past, we too will speak about everyone’s past.”
Speaking at the press conference, Nasiruddin Patwary said BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman must decide whether he will continue to patronise 'terrorists' within the party or take disciplinary action against them.
Nasiruddin demanded the expulsion of Mirza Abbas from BNP on charges of violating party discipline. “Win or lose, I will not allow a reign of terror in Dhaka-8. This is my commitment. On February 12, people will deliver their verdict against terrorism and corruption through their votes.”
According to NCP, Nasiruddin was present at Habibullah Bahar College as an invited guest at a programme when he was initially obstructed at the gate, followed by scuffles that culminated in the egg-throwing incident.
NCP strongly condemned the incident and issued an immediate statement demanding accountability.