The BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists reportedly campaigned for an Awami League-backed chairman candidate in Kotalipara upazila.
Bimol Krishno Biswas, a chairman candidate and former central Awami League, said: “BNP-Jamaat activists have worked for Mujibur Rahman Hawlader, joint general secretary of upazila unit Awami League.”
No candidate from the BNP-Jamaat is contesting for chairman post in Kotalipara upazila parishad polls while seven candidates from Awami League are vying for chairman post.
Seeking anonymity, some local leaders expressed anxiety and said it could be disastrous for Awami League image as Kotalipara was a vital upazila for the ruling party.
Local sources said Kotalipara municipal BNP leader Oliar Rahman, elder brother of district Chhatra Shibir President Rubel Howlader, had remained absconding for long as he was accused in several cases.
Recently, he was found campaigning for AL candidate Howlader, which local people are considering as harmful for local politics.
Moreover, people of Hindu community expressed their anxiety as Jamaat men were still remain in politics in the name of campaign.
Besides, Kotalipara upazila BNP General Secretary Abul Bashar Howlader and other BNP leaders and activists were also campaigning for AL-backed Hawlader.
Mujibur Rahman Hawlader refuted the allegation saying his opponent candidate brought false allegations against him.
“The BNP-Jamaat is not working for me. Oliar Howalder is not working for me either”, he said.
Hemayet Uddin Bir Bikram, who is an influential leader at the upazila, apprehended that although Hawladerwas a good person but he could be defeated in the election as his image had been tarnished by Jamaat men at his campaign rally.
There is also an allegation that some candidates are violating electoral code of conduct, but the authorities concerned keep mum for mysterious reason.
Some candidates are using digital signboards and banners for poll campaigning, which is directly prohibited by the Election Commission.
Asked about it, Hawlader acknowledged the violation of electoral code of conduct.
“Other candidates are campaigning by using vehicles. But I have not personally violated electoral code of conduct. My supporters might have violated it,” said Hawlader.
Kotalipara Upazila Executive Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Md Mikail said, no one has made complaints against it.
“We will take action if we get allegations.”
Meanwhile, vice chairman candidate in Gopalganj Tasvirul Huda Babu was attacked during his poll campaigning.
Police and local sources said perpetrators had attacked Babu’s activist Hurmut Biswas on Monday night at Char Suktail village of Sadar upazila.
The attackers vandalised two vehicles in which five people sustained injuries. Later, police took the situation under control.