In the final hours leading up to the Khulna City Corporation election, the local chapter of the ruling party was seen to be in high spirits while tensions were running high in the BNP camp.
After the campaigning hours ended on Sunday night, the Awami League and BNP called for press conferences at their respective offices on Monday.
The BNP protested the arrests of their leaders and activists, saying the government was trying to sideline them.
BNP claimed their members and leaders were being harassed for political reasons.
Their mayor candidate, Nazrul Islam Monju, said that BNP did not have sufficient time to campaign as they were busy bailing out their people at the courts.
At the Awami League press conference, the mood was considerably brighter.
Talukdar Abdul Khalek, the Awami League leader running for mayor, said: “No matter how much BNP conspire, they cannot divide the people. The people of Khulna will elect me for the sake of progress.”
After the press conference, the Awami League hosted a lunch at a local hotel where the atmosphere was festive.
