Quader uses govt vehicles for electioneering

Breaching electoral code of conduct, ruling Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has been conducting election campaign using government’s vehicles in his constituency.

According to the section 14 (2) of the electoral code of conduct, “a government beneficiary cannot use government vehicles for his or others electioneering.”

Four vehicles of Roads and Highway Department and Padma bridge project were used in Quader’s campaign for Noakhali-5 constituency on Thursday.

He carried out electioneering in different areas including Kadamtala, Battali, Bhumihin Bazar, Guchhagram, Moulvibazar, Chowdhury Bazar and Jugidia in Companiganj. Alongside his personal car, there were nine vehicles in his motorcade when he reached Chowdhury Bazar at 1:30pm.

When Quader was addressing a rally, there was a double cabin pickup (Dhaka Metro Tha 13-3054) behind his car. When contacted with Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) in Mirpur, it was found that this vehicle is registered for executive engineer of RHD.

Dhaka Metro Tha 13-2987, Dhaka Metro Gha 17-1101 and Dhaka Metro Tha 13-2927 of the motorcade are registered in favour of project director and these vehicles belong to Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project.

Contacted, Padma bridge project director Shafiqul Islam told Prothom Alo, “I am busy with a family affair. I can’t talk right now.”

Noakhali returning officer and deputy commissioner Tanmoy Das said they did not notice the matter. They would look into the matter, he added.

Obaidul Quader is the current member of parliament for Noakhali-5 comprised of Companiganj and Kabirhat.

However, his opponent Moudud Ahmed has been staying most of the time at his home in Companiganj. After eight days, he launched campaign for three hours on Thursday. “I’m keeping silent to avoid bloodshed.”

At the time of electioneering at Chowdhury Bazar area, standing on his car Quader said, “Is there any flag in my car? His followers cried out ‘no’. My opponent (Moudud) alleged there is no level-playing field. Am I enjoying government facilities? ”

“He called for the driver and asked him to show documents whether the vehicle belongs to the government. I stay at my private house. I don’t stay at the official house. What does the level playing field call? Is it not called a level-playing field?” he also said.

Moudud’s electioneeringWhile visiting his home at Manikpur of Sirajpur union in Companiganj, Moudud was standing in the yard and 20 leaders and activists surrounded him. Speaking to Prothom Alo correspondent, Moudud alleged he could not go outside of his home for eight days in fear of attacks of Awami League leaders and activists.

He apprised police of his electioneering at 10:00am on Thursday. But his activists from Chowdhury Hat told him that Awami League leaders and activists were gathering in the area and there will be a problem if he (Moudud) went there.

Moudud said he informed the police station about the matter and police suggested him to go there after the presence of law enforcers.

“I was waiting. I got news that AL leaders and activists broke head of Arifur Rahman, the younger brother of my personal assistant and Sirajpur union Chhatra Dal president. Sometimes later, Arifur was brought in a car to my home. A local physician stitched and bandaged his head at my home.”

“I can drive out the leaders and activists of Awami League within an hour. I am keeping silent to avoid bloodshed.”

*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam.