BNP, its alliance gear up electioneering in city

Published: December 11, 2018 18:12:13

The candidates of BNP and its alliance partners for the 11th parliamentary elections launched their election campaign in the capital on Tuesday.

BNP candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency Mirza Abbas along with his wife Afroza Abbas, another party candidate for Dhaka-9 started campaign from Shahjahanpur are by distributing leaflets among pedestrians and shopkeepers.

Other candidates of the party and its alliance partners also started visiting their election areas and seeking votes for the 'Sheaf of Paddy'.

BNP candidate for Dhaka 11- Shamim Ara Begum began her election campaign from Badda High School area in the morning, reports UNB.

Before kicking off the campaign, Abbas at a press conference at his Shahjahanpur residence alleged that their family members have been suffering from a sense of insecurity as the law enforcers constantly following them.

"I'm contesting the election from Dhaka-8 while my wife from Dhaka-9. Though the Chief Election Commissioner assured that no one will be arrested after the announcement of the election schedule, our leaders and activists are being arrested and implicated in different cases regularly," Abbas said.

He said the plainclothes police always stay there in front of all gates of his house. "I along with my family and leaders and activists are now constantly in fear."

Abbas further said, "I'm suffering from insecurity and my family members are also facing insecurity. No one, including my relatives and friends, can visit my house. This is an inhuman attitude."

He said his around 3,500 active workers are staying in jail. "So, how will I carry out election campaign? Afroza Abbas is also facing the same problem."

Abbas alleged that police arrested his 25 supporters on their way back home after joining a milad mahfil at his house on Monday.

The BNP leader urged the Election Commission to create a proper atmosphere for holding a credible national election.

Abbas hoped that Afroza and he will come out successful if people can cast their votes smoothly.

Talking to reporters, Afroza Abbas said no level-playing field has been ensured for holding an acceptable election.

She urged the journalists to play a neutral role and give the opposition candidates due coverage in their newspapers.