Khaleda, 69, solicits vote for ‘son-like’ 64-year old Dhaka South mayor contender

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has urged the electorate of Dhaka South City Corporation to vote for Mirza Abbas who she says is ‘like her son’.

A day after the attack on her motorcade at Karwan Bazar, Khaleda campaigned at Shajahanpur, Malibagh, Fakirapool and Naya Paltan on Tuesday.
 
A police van was behind the motorcade of Khaleda, unlike on Monday.
 
Her cavalcade faced trouble again near Fakirapool kitchen market after the campaign at Shajahanpur.
 
A procession of Awami League-backed mayor candidate Sayeed Khokon crossed the other side of the street when Khaleda’s motorcade was on its way to Fakirapul.
 
Awami League and BNP activists traded brickbats and raised slogans.
 
Hundreds of BNP leaders and activists surrounded Khaleda’s car for her security. 
 
Khaleda delivered a speech using a hand mike in front of Polwel Super Market at Naya Paltan around 8pm.
 
“I have lost my husband for the country. I have lost my son a few days ago. Mirza Abbas is like my son,” said the 69-year old former prime minister.
 
“I earnestly appeal to the citizens, I have come to seek vote from you with the pain of losing a son. Please assuage my pain to some extent by electing Mirza Abbas,” she added.
 
Mirza Abbas’ wife, Afroza, was beside the motorcade during the speech. She spoke to Khaleda after the speech.
 
Sixty-four-year old Abbas is not in the campaign fearing arrest in a number of cases. His wife is leading his campaign.

Addressing the businessmen of Polwel Super Market, Khaleda said, “You are annoyed at the torture by the criminals and extortionists. Can you do business well now?

 “No one in the country is secure now. I want votes for Abbas to be free from this.”

At a street rally in Malibagh, the BNP chief said, “Mirza Abbas is the son of this locality. You know him well. He was the mayor of Dhaka and a minister. He has done much development.”

“Vote for the symbol ‘mug’ for a clean and peaceful Dhaka, free from mosquito, crime and garbage,” she said.

She left her Gulshan home for the campaign with the car damaged in Monday’s attack.

She first distributed Mirza Abbas’ leaflets at some shops in Shahjahanpur Railway Market.

Thousands of BNP leaders and activists greeted her from both sides of the street from Khilgaon flyover to Shajahanpur intersection.

Khaleda held a street rally in front of Twin Tower Shopping Mall at Malibagh before going to Fakirapool.