The pre-polls merriment in Khulna has turned into a sense of foreboding as clashes between aspirants pick up ahead of the March 22 Union Parishad election.
Candidates from the BNP and other parties have been blaming the ruling Awami League aspirants of attacking them. Many of them doubt the election will be a fair and peaceful one.
Supporters of Dakop Union’s Awami League candidate Binoy Krishna Roy and renegade aspirant Sanjay Morol clashed recently leaving 10 of them injured. Binoy later filed a case with police. Another candidate Jalal Uddin’s three supporters were punished by a mobile court for trying to bribe voters.
Rival candidates at all unions have been trading blames over polls code violation. However, there are common allegations against ruling party candidates – using party influence, taking out motorcycle rallies, threatening, among others.
Kailashganj Union’s Workers Party candidate Gauranga Prasad Roy alleged that his ruling party rival and incumbent chairman Mihir Mandal was threatening his supporters. “He has been telling the voters, ‘I will remain the chairman whether you vote for me or not’,” Gauranga claimed, adding that he would win by a landslide if the voting is fair.
Kapilamuni union’s BNP candidate and incumbent chairman Shahadat Hossain Dabloo claimed the Awami League aspirant had been threatening his supporters. “Recent attacks on BNP candidates, activists, supporters and election offices have caused panic among the voters,” he claimed.
Shahadat said he feared his rival candidates could unleash violence in his union’s six polling stations. “Voters at several polling centres are cowered anticipating violence on the election day.”
Paikgachha Upazila Returning Officer ASM Rasel said Shahadat had notified him about issues and fears of violence verbally. “He has not filed any written complaint. But we visited the area promptly after he approached us. We will take necessary steps if we get a written complain,” Rasel added.
The election officer said they would take all measures to ensure peaceful polling in the Union Parishad polls.
