Govt strategy of calling city election to foil BNP agitations will backfire, says Noman

BNP Vice-chairman Abdullah Al Noman has questioned the government’s intentions to stage city corporation elections in Dhaka and Chittagong at a time when the party is agitating for a fresh general election.

Noman heads the election steering committee of the party-backed mayor candidate M Manjur Alam.

Speaking at a meeting of Chittagong City unit of the party’s youth front Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal on Friday, he said the government was conducting the elections as part of a strategy to thwart BNP’s agitations and to prolong its rule.

“But this strategy of the government will boomerang,” Noman said.

He said the party would strengthen its ongoing anti-government movement through the city polls.

“The people will express their no-confidence in the government through ballots if they are allowed to exercise their voting right in this election.

“The BNP’s ongoing movement will turn into a mass upsurge if the government rigs the election.”

Noman said: “A level playing field has to be ensured for all (candidates).”

“We’re closely observing the activities of the Election Commission. We will be forced to decide otherwise unless they ensure a level playing field for all,” he added.

Alam is contesting the poll as a candidate of Chittagong Development Movement while pro-Awami League AJM Nasir Uddin is a contestant of Nagarik Committee.

Chittagong Development Movement has already lodged five complaints against Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain and Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Aziz Mandal for allegedly violating electoral code of conduct.