Adarsha Dhaka Andolon convenor Professor Emajuddin Ahmed on Wednesday termed the attack on BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s motorcade ‘unwanted’ and ‘unacceptable’.
Apart from blaming the government for the attack, he also criticised the election commission for its silence about such incidents and obstructions created for the opposition-backed candidates during campaigns.
“It appears from the consecutive attacks that the rulers would have been very glad, should Khaleda Zia refrain from taking part in the elections (city),” said Emajuddin, the chief of Adarsho Dhaka Andolon which coordinates the BNP’s electioneering in Dhaka.
The former vice chancellor of Dhaka University came up with his reactions to the attacks on Khelda Zia’s motorcade, while talking to newsmen at the Andolon’s office in Puranapaltan.
Khaleda Zia’s convoy was attacked thrice — first in Karwan Bazar on Monday, in Fakirapool on Tuesday and in Bangla Motor on Tuesday. Also she faced rowdy protest by ruling party men while campaigning for the party-backed candidates,
Professor Emajuddin termed the attacks “not at all acceptable”. “She is a former prime minister of the country and also the most popular figure in Bangladesh politics,” he observed.
He raised questions about the role of the election commission in tackling the issues such as violence, violation of electoral rules and demand for deployment of the army personnel with magistracy to congenial atmosphere for elections.
“For all such reasons, the 5 January (2014) election was controversial and rejected by all concerned. Unfortunately, the election commission’s role at present reminds us its role during that election,” said the adviser to BNP chief Khaleda Zia.
Member secretary of ‘Adarsha Dhaka Andalan’ Shawkat Mahmud said two battalions of army or 1600 troops would not be enough for the two city corporation elections to make the atmosphere safe for the voters.
The EC has decided to deploy three battalions or 2400 of the army troops during the three city corporation polls – two battalions in Dhaka and one in Chittagong.
Source: Prothom Alo
