Rajshahi : Blame game begins right away

Awami League's mayoral candidate for the Rajshahi city corporation polls, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton yesterday said BNP has now resorted to propaganda, foreseeing their defeat in the upcoming election of Rajshahi City Corporation.

On the other hand, BNP candidate Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul expressed his doubt over holding of a fair election and alleged that AL men were beating up and driving away his campaigners.

Liton campaigned among businessmen of the city's main RDA market yesterday, while Bulbul visited door-to-door in Kashiadanga, Kathalbaria, Haripur, Raipara and Haragram areas to seek vote.

Bulbul told reporters that the ruling party men occupied most places on the city streets covering those with their posters and festoons, and were resisting BNP men from hanging his campaign materials.

“News has come to us that some men of the administration are instructing people of the slums to vote for boat [the electoral symbol for AL],” said Bulbul.

Bulbul's chief campaign agent Tofazzal Hossain, meanwhile, submitted a complaint with the returning officer yesterday afternoon, bringing at least seven allegations of violating the election code of conduct. The complaints include removing and damaging of BNP candidate's campaign material, and attacking and threatening campaigners.

Contacted, the retuning officer Sayed Amirul Islam said, they would forward the complaint to the police for action.

Talking to newsmen at RDA market in the afternoon, Liton said Awami League is a large party and they took preparations for the election months in advance.

“This is why it has been possible for our men to cover the city areas with our posters and festoons”.

He termed the BNP's allegation of hindering their campaign "baseless".

“BNP men began propaganda against us, instead of campaigning. They resorted to propaganda, being sure of their defeat in the election,” Liton said.

Liton handed over his election manifesto among the businessmen.

Other than Liton and Bulbul, three other mayoral candidates and 212 councillor candidates are also participating in the election.

Independent mayor candidate Murad Morshed began his campaign by paying homage to martyrs of the Liberation War.

Bangladesh Jatiya Party's Habibur Rahman and Islami Andolon's Shafikul Islam also campaigned.