Repetition of Jan 5 scenario will lead to awful situation

Terming it "undesirable" and warning of an "awful situation" if the Election Commission "again holds a heinous election like the January 5 (parliamentary) one", BNP chairperson's Adviser Khandaker Mahbub Hossain yesterday hoped that people would vote for democracy and establishing human rights and rule of law in the Chittagong City Corporation polls.

Campaigning for BNP-backed mayor candidate M Manjur Alam and accompanied by pro-BNP lawyers, he went around distributing handbills in Reazuddin Bazar area in the port city.

Meanwhile, BNP Vice-President Abdullah Al Noman said fearful that Manjur's popularity cannot be "held back" if the army was deployed during the polls, lawmakers and ministers from the ruling party's were opposing it.

The convener of Manju's campaign committee accompanied Manjur in addressing street rallies in Katalganj, Kapasgola, Shulakbahar, Mirjapool, Sugandha residential and Nasirabad Housing Society areas.

Terming every ballot the language of protest, he said through a silent ballot revolution, the reply to oppression would be given.

He claimed that Manjur had sought Tk 1,000 crore to create a canal from Baroipara to Karnaphuli but was allotted a small amount "only at the last moment" for which work to reduce waterlogging could not be complete.

Manjur assured working as a servant of the people and turning the city corporation into a place of trust.