Awami League leaders turn Puja into campaign opportunity

Awami League leaders and activists apparently chose Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindus, as the perfect means to win the hearts of the Hindu community. Ruling party central leaders, lawmakers and aspirants were seen putting up posters and banners of Puja greetings in the past few days. They also visited various temples and exchanged greetings. Apart from that, many party leaders also distributed clothes and cash money among the destitute Hindu people. Awami League Presidium and Central Working Committee members, among others, had visited Puja mandaps in their localities since the festival began on Septermber 26. During his visit at Dhakeshwari Temple on Friday, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader urged the Hindu community to trust on his party’s notion of communal harmony. While visiting temples in Faridpur, LGRD Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain said: “People from all sects observe their religious festival without fear and anxiety only during Awami League’s period.” Organising Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim said: “If informed, we will try to solve the problems of the Hindu community, immediately.” Liberation War Affairs Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das said: “I am staying in Munshiganj during the Puja, and trying to know people’s struggles and solve their problems.” Several leaders said that party high command had ordered all leaders and lawmakers from all districts and grassroots levels to visit temples during the Puja as part of a mass campaign for the next national election. Amid tight security across Bangladesh, Durga Puja ended on Saturday with the emersion of the idols of the goddess.