Campaigning on, so is blame game

It was a day full of complaints and counter-complaints in Barisal yesterday.

BNP-backed Mojibor Rahman Sarwar alleged that supporters of Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah, the Awami League candidate, barred his followers from campaigning in different areas.

He also expressed doubt if the election to the Barisal City Corporation would be free and fair. Sarwar raised the allegations at a rally on Lakutia Road in Kasipur area in the morning.

BNP leaders submitted a complaint to the returning officer in the afternoon, alleging that the AL candidate's supporters violated electoral rules. The party leaders alleged that AL is using colourful party symbols in banners and posters.

When asked, Serniabat said, “It's nothing new. BNP always raises allegations and tries to make the elections questionable.”

“In the 2013 polls, they also claimed that it was not held in a free and fair manner. But they changed their tone once they won the election,” he said. “We also want the July 30 polls to be free and fair.” Serniabat campaigned in Kawnia, Bhatikhana and Nuria School areas.

AL leaders also submitted a complaint to the returning officer, alleging that BNP activists tore their posters in many areas including ward 20.

Returning Officer Mujibur Rahman said they have already forwarded the complaints to police for necessary actions.

Other mayoral candidates also continued campaigning.

Iqbal Hossain Taposh of Jatiya Party announced his 24-point election manifesto at his office on Oxford Mission Road in the morning.

Some of the key features include solving the city's waterlogging problem, repairing damaged roads, improving the drainage system and ridding the administration of corruption.

Manisha Chakrabarty of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal campaigned in ward 20. Around noon, she attended a meeting in Barisal Bar Association Auditorium.

Abul Kalam Azad of CPB and Obaydur Rahaman Mahabub of Islami Andolon Bangladesh also campaigned in different areas.

BCC has an area of 58 square kilometres, with a total of 2,42,166 voters, an additional 30,909 voters than the previous election.