ZCZC
BSS-39
TOFAIL-BNP-HABIT
Raising allegation is BNP’s old habit: Tofail
DHAKA, Jan 6, 2020 (BSS) – Awami League Advisory Council member Tofail Ahmed today said raising allegation is an old habit of BNP and it is their tradition too.
“Now BNP says they (BNP candidates) will not win in the upcoming city polls and despite knowing that, they are contesting the polls. It speaks of frustration, which makes BNP leaders and workers frustrated,” he said.
Tofail, also coordinator of AL’s election conducting committee for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), told this while speaking at a meeting with reporters at Banani here.
Awami League Presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, cultural affairs secretary Ashim Kumar Ukil, publicity and publication secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, state minister for Khalid Chowdhury and AL mayoral candidate for DNCC Atiqul Islam were, among others, present.
Noting that there should not be any restriction for AL leaders in conducting election campaign in favour AL candidates with a view to ensuring a level playing field in the elections, Tofail said BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed has been given responsibility in conducting campaign in favour of BNP candidates.
“He (Moudud) was a former minister. Why do not we conduct campaign for AL candidates as we are the running MPs? It could not be a level playing field at all,” he said, adding that AL leaders would visit the Election Commission (EC) office on Tuesday to ask the Commission to ensure a level playing field.
Replaying to a question of a reporter about EVM use in the upcoming city polls, the AL leader said the EVM is a result of Digital Bangladesh, a vision announced by AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
While delivering a speech in Kenya, he said, former US President Barak Obama cited the example of Digital Bangladesh, which means “we are more advanced in digitalising the country”.
However, Tofail said, it is the jurisdiction of the EC whether the EVM will be used in the city polls or not.
“We will seek support in favour of AL mayoral candidate Atiqul Islam by presenting the development activities of the government to the people,” he said.
BSS/Corr/BKD/MRI/KU/1923 HRS