RpCC polls: Candidates engage in war of words

With the Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) election looming, the mayoral candidates of three major political parties have immersed into a war of words as they are passing busy time campaigning. Apart from holding rallies all over the city and making electoral pledges to the citizens, the aspirants have now started attacking the political careers of their rivals, pointing out to the alleged past failures, ahead of the polls slated for December 21. At a public rally at the city’s Babukhara on Sunday, Awami League candidate Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhantu claimed compared to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s rule, Rangpur did not see any development during Jatiya Party (JaPa) Chairman HM Ershad's military regime. Urging all to reject JaPa's plough symbol during the vote, he requested people to cast their votes on Awami League's boat symbol for the city’s development to continue. “When JaPa chief Ershad was in power for nine years, he did not see to Rangpur’s development. The city’s development works started after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to power. So, if you wish for that to continue, you will have to vote for boat.” Jhantu, who was elected the first RpCC mayor in 2012, also alleged that JaPa activists were following him wherever he went to campaign and making objectionable remarks about him in front of the voters.

JaPa mayoral candidate Mustafizur Rahman Mustafa exchanges greetings at a shop while campaigning on December 17, 2017 | Dhaka Tribune

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However, JaPa candidate Mustafizur Rahman Mustafa claimed Jhantu as the mayor had not done anything for the city’s development in last five years. “After failing as the mayor, he has no right to contest this election.” Mustafa said: “Jhantu has become very scared after seeing the popularity of Jatiya Party Chairman Ershad in Rangpur. He does not know what he is saying.” The JaPa leader made the remarks while campaigning in Khalifatari, Patpur, Babupara, Tajhat and other areas of the city on Sunday. “No development in the city took place when Jhantu was in power. He says the mayor of the city corporation has no power in his hand. Then why is he contesting to be the mayor again?” asked Mustafa. The JaPa candidate also claimed that the participation of people in his election campaign has been astonishing. “Road campaigns are turning into public rallies. And it has been possible because of the love of Rangpur people.”

BNP mayoral candidate Kawser Zaman Babla campaigns in Rangpur city on December 17, 2017 | Dhaka Tribune

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Talking to reporters after paying tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War at the Central Shaheed Minar on Sunday afternoon, BNP-backed mayoral candidate Kawser Zaman Babla said that a fair election will not be possible under the incumbent Awami League government.