Former Tangail-3 MP Amanur Rahman Khan Rana, who is set to take part in the upcoming national polls as an independent candidate, has ordered his followers to take a strong stand to protect the voting rights of people by keeping 300-400 tree branches at each polling center.
The video of his speech went viral on social media where the former MP urged voters not to relinquish their votes if anyone attempted to take them.
He said: "I said in 2012, and I am still saying, 300 to 400 gajari dals (tree branches) should be cut and stored in each center. If someone attempts to take away your voting rights, don't spare them. I will be in the front row with you.”
In the widely shared video, he said: "It is enough if I stand in Ghatail upazila. Thousands of activists will persevere, having faith in God.”
Amanur Rahman Rana went to parliament from the Tangail-3 seat as the Awami League's nominee in the 2014 10th National Parliament election.
In the 11th parliamentary election, the party did not grant him a ticket; instead, his father, Ataur Rahman Khan, was elected to the parliament by using the boat symbol. This time, the ruling party has also released his father.
Now, Amanur Rahman Khan Rana is contesting the polls as an independent candidate.
Amanur Rahman Khan and his brothers faced accusations in the January 2013 murder case of Awami League leader and freedom fighter Farooq Ahmed.
After a period of hiding, Amanur and his brother Shahidur Rahman Khan Mukti, then mayor of Tangail Municipality, surrendered to the Court, served jail time, and were subsequently released on bail. The case is currently in the evidence stage.