Mongla poura by-polls amid tension today

The ruling party has brought in a large number of armed cadres to rig today's by-election to Mongla Pourasava chairman post, the Awami Leaguebacked candidate alleged.

Over 100 armed men belonging to the four-party alliance are at Mongla to intimidate voters, particularly those of minority community, AL- backed candidate Skeikh Abdus Salam claimed while talking to newsmen and meeting voters.

A leader of Bagerhat BNP is leading the gang, he further claimed.

Four-Party Alliance backed candidate Talukder Abdul Halim refuted the allegations and termed Salam a liar and top terrorist of the Sundarbans. The AL candidate was directly involved in the killing of a launch worker at Mongla town in 1996, he claimed.

The post fell vacant following the death of Abdul Hye of Awami League on April 20.

Besides Salam and Halim, two others are in the race. They are Kamrunnahar wife of late Abdul Hye and Jashimudin is his eldest son.

Political circles said fight for the post will be between Salam and Halim.

They said Salam is enjoying more popular support than the Halim as Kamrunnar and her son have put their weight behind him.

Besides, Salam is capitalising on the popularity of Abdul Hye who was elected Mongla Pourasava Chairman thrice earlier.

Meanwhile, former state minister and AL leader Talukder Abdul Khaleque MP has demanded deployment of army to ensure free and fair polls. He alleged that armed cadres of the ruling party are giving threats to minority community voters not to go to polling centres.

"My party candidate Salam has already appealed to the chief election commissioner for deploying army, BDR and adequate number of magistrates to avert violence and resist capture of polling booths", Talukder said.

He claimed that the district administration officials and police are aware of presence of a large number of BNP cadres.

Talukder Khaleque who is general secretary of Khulna city AL and a lawmaker from Rampal-Mongla constituency has threatened severe consequence if votes are rigged.

Addressing a press conference at Khulna Press Club on Monday, Bagerhat district BNP president and convener of four-party liaison committee MAH Selim MP refuted Talukder's allegations and alleged that he (Talukder) was conspiring to foil he by-election, sensing defeat of his candidate.

When asked, he remained silent about deployment of army, demanded by the Awami League MP. "No armed cadre is there at Mongla to rig votes", he said.

A total of 33,900 voters are expected to cast their votes in the by-election.

The Officer-in-Charge of Mongla thana said two platoons of BDR, 28 policemen, 15 ansars and a magistrate will be deployed in each of the eleven polling centres.