‘Police threatening BNP leaders ahead of city polls’
BNP yesterday accused law enforcement agencies of raiding houses of its leaders and activists and intimidating them ahead of elections to Dhaka south and north city corporations.
“The government is trying to cause problems [for us] over the city polls. Our Bangshal unit president and councillor candidate [Tajuddin Ahmed] Taju was arrested yesterday [Thursday],” said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
“Police has started arresting our popular candidates to keep them away from campaigning,” he added. Rizvi claimed the law enforcers were going to the houses of BNP leaders and activists and were intimidating them.
“Many of our councillor candidates told me that police have threatened to arrest them or create trouble for them if they contest the polls,” Rizvi said.
The BNP leader came up with the allegations at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters.
Rizvi said they are joining the election braving all odds and enduring repression to expose the “despotic” attitude of the government.
Taj, who submitted his nomination paper to vie for Ward 32 councillor post in DSCC polls with BNP’s support, was arrested on Thursday from Tikatuli intersection.
Rizvi said they have almost finalised their councillor candidates for the two city corporation elections.
They will complete the process by January 9, he added.
He also accused the jail authorities of barring the relatives of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from meeting her for the last 19 days.
“It’s a violation of the jail code,” he said.
He urged the government to take steps to allow Khaleda’s family members to meet her.
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