No campaign heat as Ershad abroad for treatment

Election campaign of Jatiya Party (JP) is yet to start in its stronghold Rangpur-3 (Sadar) constituency as the party chairman HM Ershad has gone abroad for treatment.

Ershad is contesting from Rangpur-3 constituency with Plough as the symbol of JP.

Nine aspirants of different political parties, including Rita Rahman of Oikya Front and HM Ershad, are contesting in the 11th general election from Rangpur-3 constituency, but the campaigning is yet to get momentum after the electoral symbols were distributed on December 10.

The election is scheduled to be held on December 30.

Rita, who is Convener of Peoples Party in Rangpur, is contesting the race with Sheaf of Paddy, the symbol of BNP.

Some leaders and activists of Rangpur metropolitan BNP, at a press conference on December 7, had declared Rita unwanted. They had been demanding Rangpur metropolitan BNP President Md Mozaffar Rahman as a candidate for the seat.

Rita's election campaign began on a small scale, but many BNP leaders and activists seem to be inactive in the campaigning as they failed to get their desired aspirant nominated, said party insiders.

Election campaign of Ershad could not be started as he is abroad now. However, some black and white posters were hung at different places at Rangpur Sadar upazila after the electoral symbols were distributed.

He flew to Singapore on Tuesday.

Ershad was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) from the Rangpur-3 constituency in 1991, 2008 and 2014, while his brother GM Quader was elected as MP in 2001, and Ershad's wife Rawshan was elected as MP in a by-election held in 2009.

Rangpur metropolitan JP General Secretary SM Yasir said the JP chairman has gone abroad for treatment and election campaign will start after his return.

Election campaign of Amiruzzaman Pial, a candidate of Islamic Andolon for Rangpur-3 seat, is going on in full swing. His election symbol is hand fan.

During a visit to different places in Rangpur on Wednesday, this correspondent saw posters and election campaign of Pial in Station, Shapla Chattar, Robertsonganj, Taraganj and Babupara areas of Rangpur city.