Pro-BNP councillor candidate quits race

Alleging that he was intimidated by law enforcers, a BNP-backed councillor candidate has withdrawn his candidature for the March 29 Chattogram city polls.

Election Commission (EC) sources said Azizul Haque Masum, the candidate of ward-18 (North Bakalia), submitted a withdrawal letter to the returning officer concerned on the last day (March 8).

Returning Officer Hasanuzzaman said Masum did not mention any reason behind it.

Asked about his allegation, Masum said, "Will it bring any result if

 I file a complaint against police?"

However, Bakalia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nezam Uddin said Masum's allegation is baseless. "He was not threatened by any law enforcer," he said.

The OC also mentioned that Masum is not an accused of any case filed with the police station.

When this newspaper asked Masum as to why he did not inform the matter to senior BNP leaders, Masum said he informed local leaders.

On the other hand, BNP insiders said party leaders came to know about the incident after the withdrawal.

Meanwhile, ruling Awami League-backed Hazi Md Harunur Rashid is continuing electioneering as a councillor candidate of the ward.

Apart from them, one Hazi Md Tayab had submitted nomination form to the EC for candidacy but his application was rejected for being a loan defaulter, said RO Hasanuzzaman.

Rashid is now the lone councillor candidate for the ward.