Taimur threatens to campaign in front of SP office if ‘arrests, harassment not stopped’
Alleging that his supporters and workers were being arrested and harassed indiscriminately, mayoral candidate in Narayanganj City Corporation election, Taimur Alam Khandaker, on Tuesday threatened to conduct the election campaign in front of the office of superintendent of police.
Calling for a stop to arrests and harassment of his supporters and workers, the independent candidate also sought prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s intervention for fair elections.
Taimur Alam Khandaker was addressing a press conference at the house of ATM Kamal, his chief electoral agent, in Missionpara of Narayanganj around 10:30am today.
Taimur Alam Khandaker is a former adviser to the chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the de facto opposition of ruling Awami League. He is also former convener of district BNP.
Questioning the role of the election commission and the administration, Taimur said, “No level playing field has been created from the outset though I am the main opposition in this election. No action has been taken though I’ve repeatedly filed complaints to the election commission and the administration.”
In response to a question, the mayoral runner said, “Houses of 37 of my supporters have been raided since last night while 17 people have been arrested. I told the police super that Nanak (central Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak) has started showing his cards.”
Taimur Alam Khandaker, also former president of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation, said, “Monirul Islam Robi is my polls coordinator in Siddhirganj. He was not arrested earlier. He was by me when I bought the nomination paper, submitted that and the electoral symbol was allocated for me. Why has he been arrested now?”
He alleged that making arrests have begun within 24 hours of Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak call to begin a different game.
Earlier, on Monday afternoon, police arrested acting convener of Narayanganj district BNP, Monirul Islam alias Robi, from his Siddhirganj residence in a case filed on charges of sabotage. Monirul Islam is an accused in four cases.
Addressing the prime minister the senior leader said, “You say BNP does not compete in the polls. Now you see why BNP and other parties reject elections and don’t want to compete in the polls.”
“I will accept the verdict of the people and the people’s verdict is the ultimate verdict. Here we were threatened with the worst. If this is reflected in the polls, the prime minister’s image will be damaged the most,” he added.
A certain Reshmi Akhter in the media briefing alleged that plainclothesmen as well as police in uniform came to her house in four vehicles at around 3:00am on Tuesday. Her husband Mosharraf Hossain was picked up from the house but his whereabouts are unknown. She also alleged that her husband was threatened several times for campaigning for Taimur Alam Khandaker.