BNP-nominated candidate Mirza Faisal Amin, contesting with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol, alleged that a political party, anticipating defeat, was conspiring to discredit the election and making false accusations. Meanwhile, Delawar Hossain, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate backed by the 11-party alliance and contesting with the Scales symbol, claimed that armed criminals were being used to disrupt his campaign as his rival sensed defeat.
Speaking at an election campaign event at the Araj Dangi Pukur School field in Gareya Union of Thakurgaon Sadar on Tuesday (October 13), Mirza Faisal Amin said none of his party’s leaders or activists had insulted anyone or obstructed election campaigning.
He claimed that the election environment in the area remained peaceful and that all candidates were campaigning freely.
Faisal Amin said he had instructed party leaders and activists to act responsibly and refrain from obstructing the campaigns of other candidates. He added that he would ask the Election Commission to take action if anyone interfered with another candidate’s campaign. He also urged rival candidates to seek voters’ support through direct engagement with the public.
On Wednesday morning (October 14), Delawar Hossain alleged at an election courtyard meeting in Senpara, Shukhanpukuri Union, under Bhulli Upazila, that rival supporters were obstructing his campaign because of growing public support for the Scales symbol.
He claimed that increasing attempts to obstruct the campaign would encourage more people to join the Scales camp.
Describing the election as a contest against drugs, terrorism and extortion, Delawar Hossain pledged to take action against these crimes if elected. He also urged voters to cast their ballots for the Scales symbol on October 29.
Engineer Rashed Pradhan, spokesperson for the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), also alleged that election campaigning was being obstructed and that intimidation was taking place. He claimed that those who did not believe in the people’s mandate were responsible for creating obstacles to the campaign.
Local leaders of the 11-party alliance attended the meeting, including Shukhanpukuri Union Jamaat Ameer Maulana Abdus Samad, Secretary Abul Kashem and Thakurgaon district NCP convener Khalilur Rahman.
Voting in the Thakurgaon-1 constituency, which covers Sadar, Ruhia and Bhulli, is scheduled for October 29. The constituency has 516,629 registered voters, including 250,053 men, 256,572 women and four third-gender voters. A total of 185 polling centres will be established for the election.
The by-election became necessary after Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir vacated the seat following his election as president.
The competing allegations from the two leading political camps have heightened political tensions ahead of the by-election.
