N’ganj Mayoral Polls: BNP picks Shakhawat

The BNP yesterday finally picked Shakhawat Hossain Khan, a lawyer of the plaintiffs in the sensational seven-murder case, for mayor of Narayanganj.

He was in the limelight when he led the lawyers’ movement for ensuring proper trial for the murder of seven people, including local lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarkar.

Meanwhile, hours after finalising its mayoral candidate, the BNP demanded the Election Commission deploy army in Narayanganj to ensure free and fair polls on December 22.

Talking to The Daily Star after picking party’s ticket, Shakhawat said there was no “level playing field” in the district. He called upon the EC to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates.

Party insiders said although Shakhawat was not a prominent leader, he had an advantage over the other mayoral hopefuls due to his “heroic image” during the movement.

Shakhawat does not hold any post in the BNP’s central or district committee. According to his bio-data, the lawyer was a former general secretary of Dhaka Zila Lawyers Association and an assistant law secretary of Narayanganj BNP.

The BNP nominee urged the district administration to work neutrally so that all candidates can get a congenial atmosphere to conduct electioneering. He also called for identifying local terrorists and recovering illegal arms from the city.

“The people of Narayanganj are very enthusiastic about the election. They want a congenial atmosphere so that they can exercise their franchise without fear and intimidation,” he added.

He also demanded the EC replace the “partisan administration officials with neutral ones”.

Shakhawat said if elected mayor, he would make the city a model one.

Earlier in the day, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office announced Shakhwat’s name as its mayoral nominee.

On Monday night, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia held a marathon meeting at her Gulshan office with the prospective mayoral candidates and grassroots leaders of Narayanganj to pick party candidate.

As Taimur Alam Khandaker refused to contest the polls, Shakhawat’s name came prominently.

BNP insiders said most leaders at the meeting suggested nominating Taimur or former MP Abul Kalam Azad for mayor. But both of them expressed unwillingness to contest the election.

On Friday, the ruling Awami League nominated incumbent Narayanganj Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy for city mayor.

Meanwhile, addressing a discussion in the capital, BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed yesterday demanded the government assist the EC to deploy army in Narayanganj so that voters can exercise their franchise freely.

Source: The Daily Star

1 COMMENT

  1. It is about time, Sheikh Hasina should part with Mufazzal Hossain Maya and his criminal family. AL always harbored crminals who used force to silence opposition. It has a history of over 60 years doing this thuggery.

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