City BNP leaders have hinted at supporting independent candidate SM Akram for Narayanganj 5 in the by-election slated for June 26, though the party has neither landed any candidate or yet backed any candidate in the election.
Former BNP MP Abul Kalam said: “The people in Narayanganj will cast their vote in the election to stem any terrorism and further occurrence of killings, like Twaki killing and sensational seven murders.”
City BNP General Secretary ATM Kamal said: “We have the moral support for the pineapple (election emblem of Akram).
Bandar Upazila Chairman and BNP leader Ataur Rahman said: “Though we have no candidate on behalf of the party, we will take stance against the terrorism as always.”
A BNP supporter who took part in the election campaign for Akram at the Bandar's Kolagasia said, “We have been instructed to vote for the pineapple and as such we are working now.”
“Besides, Nasim Osman had made an ugly remark against our leader a few days before he died and so it would not do even if his brother comes to seek vote from us.”
Jatiya Party-backed AKM Salim Osman said: “I am in fact a business leader though I have joined the Jatiya Party ahead of the election. The party leaders, activists and supporters already know what to do on the voting day.”
“Being a business leader, I am on good terms with all, including those from Awami League and BNP and so I believe everybody will vote for me.”
Independent candidate Akram said: “I have never harmed or harassed any BNP Leader but some people have vandalised the BNP's office. So I hope the BNP people will vote for me.”
He added that he had been on the good terms with the Awami League leaders and activists and so he expected their votes too.
The former Awami League leader in January quit his post centring on disagreements with the party high-ups during the Narayanganj City Corporation elections.
In a calculated move, the BNP had also stayed away from fielding its mayor candidate, paving the way for a key ballot battle between indpendent candidate Selina Hasan Ivy and Awami League-backed AKM Shamim Osman.
Ivy was elected mayor while Shamim, now the MP for Narayanganj 4, was defeated. Shamim Osman is said to have been involved in Twaki killing and sensational seven-murder in the city.