BNP mayoral candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) polls Ishraque Hossain has expressed fears that a conspiracy is going on to clear the playing field before the February 1 voting, as a case was filed against his supporters in connection with Gopibagh clash on Sunday.
Ishraque made the remark while exchanging views with members of the National Press Club on Monday, reports UNB.
He urged the Election Commission to take steps for creating a level playing field for all candidates, so that they can carry out electioneering and join voting peacefully on the voting day on February 1.
Prime Minister’s former information adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Press Club President Saiful Alam, Vice President Omar Farroque, treasurer Shyamal Dutta, former general secretary Syed Abdal Ahmed, joint secretaries general, Shahed Chowdhury, Mainul Alam and former joint secretary Ilias Khan, its senior members, Abdus Shahid, M Abdullah, and Kader Gani Chowdhury were present at the event, among others.
Ishraque said: “As feared, a case was filed with Wari police station on Sunday night against our 50 identified leaders and activist and many other unidentified ones over the Gopibagh incident. Five of them were arrested this (Monday) morning.”
“We urge the Election Commission to create an equal scope for us so that we can conduct election campaign and join the election peacefully, and to check the incidents of attack. We also call upon them to prevent the move to make the field empty through attacks and cases what were done during the last general election,” he further said.
The BNP mayoral candidate also noted that he had been carrying out electioneering peacefully before Sunday’s attack on his supporters by the ruling party activists.
“Even, I went to many camps of Awami League-backed councillor candidates during the campaign and exchanged greetings with them and sought their blessings.”
Narrating Sunday’s incident, he said the supporters of Awami League-supported 41 ward councillor runner attacked his activists from their camp without any provocation, leaving 12 his supporters and 3 journalists injured.
Ishraque urged the Election Commission to take steps so that a peaceful atmosphere prevails until the voting process ends.
He also said Dhaka has turned into the worst unlivable, unsafe and polluted city.
“I am a child of this city and I know its major problems. So, I will do whatever necessary to turn Dhaka into a livable, healthy and safe city if I am elected as mayor. I will also devote myself to serving the city dwellers and ensuring their welfare.”
The BNP candidate expressed his gratitude to journalists for their cooperation to his electioneering, and urged them to play an active role during the voting so that people can freely exercise their voting rights.
BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain urged the commission to take measures so that people can reflect their opinion through voting and elect their mayors of their choice in a peaceful and congenial atmosphere.
He said though their party’s candidates are being subjected to attacks and harassments, the Election Commission is not taking any step to prevent those and create a level-playing field. “We informed the Election Commission all the incidents, but still they did not act. It is very unfortunate.”
He urged the Election Commission to play a neutral role to hold a fair and credible election on February 1.
Some 5.5 million voters are expected to cast their vote on the poll day.
Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said city polls should be held in a peaceful, fair and cheerful manner so that voters can cast their votes without any fear and favour.
He hoped that the media will play a positive role in holding a free, fair and credible election.
Press Club President Saiful Alam said the February 1 elections are very important as around 5.5 million voters, mostly educated, will exercise their right to franchise.
He hoped that the voters will be able to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice as it is their democratic right.
Saiful also said the future mayors will work for making a green, livable, safe and dynamic Dhaka from traffic jams as per people’s hopes and aspirations.
Later, Ishraque also exchanged views with the leaders of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) and Photojournalists’ Association.
