Mirza Abbas’ wife says rival Khokon is like her son, asks him not to hinder her campaign

Wife of Dhaka South City Corporation mayor candidate Mirza Abbas has said she considers rival Sayeed Khokon as her son and asked the Awami League-backed aspirant to let her campaign without any hindrance.

Afroza Abbas made the request on Thursday while reacting to Khokon calling her aunt.

She was campaigning in Jatrabarhi area for her the BNP-endorsed candidate who is accused in a number of cases and is not making public appearance fearing arrest.

“You are like my son,” she said addressing Khokon.

On Wednesday, Khokon termed Afroza as aunt and asked her to go to the Election Commission if she had anything to say.

She has alleged the ruling party-backed candidate has been violating election code of conduct by pasting posters on walls and other places.

Afroza started Thursday’s campaign from Sayedabad. She then held a street rally at Jatrabarhi. BNP leaders and activists were with her.

She alleged that her campaign was obstructed in many ways.

‘Plainclothesmen’ were ‘roaming around’ the campaigns of Abbas, she alleged.

She also alleged her supporters were being threatened with death.

“We are being harassed while pasting posters. Our posters are torn,” she said.

The wife of Abbas demanded installation of close-circuit TV cameras in voting centres for a fair election.

“The government has said they want fair elections. We want this, too. Then set up CCTV cameras in centres and show people how the voting is going on,” she said.

The EC’s election plan does not include CCTV cameras installed in centres.

It is also yet to be decided about the BNP’s demand for deployment of army during the elections to the three city corporations in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Afroza said her husband’s election manifesto would be unveiled within two or three days.