BNP Accuses AL of Obstructing Its Candidate in By-Polls

BNP on Friday alleged that ruling party men are obstructing its candidates in by-polls to Pabna and Naogaon from carrying out electioneering by ‘flexing their muscles’, reports UNB.

"The cadres of the Awami League candidate in the Pabna-4 by-election are threatening the workers and supporters of our candidate. Yesterday (Thursday) they attacked a meeting of the Sheaf candidate in Naogaon-6 by-elections, leaving our many leaders and activists injured," said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a press briefing at BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, he said, "The signs of terrorist activity are evident ahead of the polling stations. We would like to say that the citizens of the respective electoral districts will resist the obstacles to a fair and free vote with all their strength."

Rizvi also called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in 'terrorism' activities and for effective measures to ensure a credible vote in a friendly and peaceful atmosphere.

According to the timetable declared by the Election Commission, the vote in Pabna-4 will take place on Saturday, while the vote in Naogaon-6 will take place on 17 October.

Rizvi alleged that some pro-ruling party ‘perverted people of the cultural arena’ are making evil efforts to belittle BNP founder Ziaur Rahman by distorting history. 

"A man, Mannan Hira, has written the so-called Indemnity drama of distorting history, and has been staging it all over the country under the banner of Joy Bangla for the last year to get the good attention of the Awami League," he said.

The BNP leader said they came to know that a private TV channel owned by a ruling MP party will air the drama on Saturday night. "We would like to warn: do not be a mass enemy by making an attempt to air the drama of information terrorism with a skewed past. Citizens will keep the writer, owner, actors and other crew of this play in their minds.

He said people were angry and shocked by "fake propaganda" and attempts to assassinate the character of Liberation War hero and sector commander Ziaur Rahman. "Insulting a valiant freedom fighter means defaming all the freedom fighters on the frontline."