Defy obstruction on voting day, Fakhrul tells party men

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir speaks at an election rally in Narayanganj on Friday. Photo: UNB
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir speaks at an election rally in Narayanganj on Friday. Photo: UNB

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said their party leaders and activists will defy any sort of obstruction on the election day on 30 December.

“A candidate with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol means a representative of our leader Khaleda Zia. She’ll be released with your one vote. Keeping it in mind, come to the polling stations together with your family members and neighbours in the morning on the poling day,” he said.

Speaking at an election rally, the BNP leader further said, “On 30 December, we’ll defy all obstacles. Stay at the voting centres until the vote counting after casting your votes. We’ll leave the polling stations with the victory.”

SM Akram, Jatiya Oikya Front candidate for Narayanganj-5 constituency, arranged the rally at the municipality field at Sonakanda in Narayanganj.

Urging all to be vigilant, the BNP secretary general said, “They (Awami League) are expert in vote-rigging and they’re also planning to stuff ballot boxes the night before the voting.... so, stay alert from the night and guard the polling centres from the day before the voting.”

He also urged members of law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces, to perform their duties neutrally, saying, “You’re responsible for holding the election and you’re oath-bound that you’ll work neutrally. That’s what the nation expects. Please work in people’s interest, don’t go against the people.”

Fakhrul also urged the BNP leaders and activists to work hard and make door-to-door visits to woo voters. “Only over a week is left. Work hard to organise the ‘revolutionary’ people of Narayanganj. Don’t be afraid, there’s nothing to fear for. People die only once.”

Oikya Front’s senior leaders, including Krishak Sramik Janata League president Abdul Kader Siddique and Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury, among others, spoke on the occasion.

AL men ‘block’ road to foil Oikya Front’s rally

Earlier, Awami League men allegedly blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway burning tyres at Madanpur in Bandar upazila apparently to foil Oikya Front’s rally in Sonakanda.

BNP leaders alleged that the AL men took position on the road in Kanchpur Bridge area with sticks and put barricade on the road around 3pm, barring the Oikya Front leaders and their motorcade from approaching further.

Later, the Oikya Front leaders with the help of law enforcers reached the venue using an alternative route.

Harun-or-Rashid, Narayanganj police super, said police rushed in and made all necessary arrangements for holding the rally.

Police also made sure that Oikya Front leaders and their motorcade reached Dhaka safely after their meeting, he added.