AL-backed Annisul says ‘minor fouls’ committed by councillor aspirants

No ‘major foul’ has been committed in the city corporation elections, ruling Awami League-backed mayor contender Annisul Huq has said in reaction to BNP’s allegation of rigging.

“Foul is a part of every game. But we’ll have to check whether it is a major foul or a minor one,” Huq of Dhaka North City Corporation told a press conference after the civic voting on Tuesday.

 

He claimed the ‘fouls’ were done by councillor aspirants of Dhaka North, not the mayor candidates.

 

“There were minor shortcomings. But these happened among the councillor aspirants,” the former FBBCCI chief said.

 

His main rival BNP-backed Tabith Awal announced his boycott of the election, alleging a rigged vote around 12pm.

According to Huq’s ‘personal’ opinion, he cannot take the responsibility of such matters.

“A mayor contender’s main network is his agents. If a mayor candidate says at 9am that everything is all right, it means he is speaking on the basis of the reports his agents sent after reaching the centres at 7:30am,” he said in reaction to Tabith’s allegation.

“I heard and saw on TV later that he (Tabith) said at 9am that the polling was fair,” Huq said.

“And I do not have control over many things,” he said.

The Awami League-backed candidate said he would accept whatever the outcome.

“If I am defeated, I’ll be the first one to congratulate the winner with garlands,” he said.

He also said he would try hard to fulfil the promises he made to the citizens if he won.