Money game rolled out in Sirajganj-2

Ignoring the election code, money is allegedly being distributed among poor and distressed people by two influential candidates in Sirajganj-2 constituency (Sirajganj Sadar-Kamarkhanda).
They are handing out money targeting the poor and distressed people, especially victims of river erosion and recurring floods in areas close to the Jamuna to influence them.
A good number of local elite, talking to this correspondent, also said they apprehend that money would also be used on the eve of the election to buy votes.
The Daily Star correspondent talked to a number of voters sheltered on different embankments of Jamuna River and shoals in Sirajganj-2 constituency.
It was revealed that the same man or woman is taking part in separate processions of rival candidates. Asked, they said they are doing this for money as they have no work and no means for survival.
The two influential contestants--Dr M A Matin and Rumana Mahmud-- hire them to run their campaign including holding rallies and procession, taking advantage of their poverty. The poor and distressed people from different shoals and Jamauna embankments are joining the rallies and processions of the two contestants every day in exchange of money.
“I joined several processions at different times in the town on behalf of Dr. M A Matin who is contesting with 'jackfruit' symbol as a candidate of Bangladesh Jatiya Party”, said forty-five year old widow Hira Begum sheltered on Charmalshapara embankment.
“They gave me Tk 40 each time”.
“I also joined the procession brought out in fevour of Rumana Mahmud in exchange of Tk 20”, she said.
Rumana, wife of BNP leader and former state minister Ikbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, is a nominee of four-party alliance.
She said she took shelter on Charmalshapara embankment as Jamuna River eroded her homesteads six month ago.
Shahida Khatun, 30, wife of Farukh Hossain, also sheltered on Charmalshapara embankment, said she joined several processions in favour of Dr. M A Matin and Rumana Mahmud several times.
She got at Tk 40 each time from Matin's men and Tk 20 from Rumana's men, she said.
Some local headmen of the area call them for processions and rallies in exchange of money, they said.
They said they join several processions and rallies every day in exchange of money as they do not have any source of income.
Bahaton Bewa, 55, wife of late Iman Mondal and Bakul, 28, wife of Mobarak of the area also told similar stories.
They said hundreds of poor and jobless people like them are being hired for processions and rallies in favour of the two contestants in exchange of money.
Roni, 25, son of Manir Hossain of Biaraghat said, said he joined processions of Dr. Matin several times and got Tk 40 each time. But, he did not get the promised Tk 50 after joining Rumana's processions and rallies. He attended several processions but the local 'headmen' misappropriated the money.
While contacted, district election commissioner Nitish Chandra Dey said, distribution of money to run campaign is violation of election code of conduct. But, he is yet to get any complaint. Action will be taken against the candidates if any complaint is lodged, he said.
Vast areas of Sirajganj district are affected by river erosion and recurring floods, displacing thousands of people. Sirajganj-2 constituency has a large number of sucj voters.
Contacted, both Dr M A Matin and Rumana Mahmud denied the allegation and said they are not distributing money for election procession and rally.