Election 2008

Mojahid's showdown in Faridpur sparks protest

BNP men burn his effigy, demand cancellation of ticket

4 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Rezaul Karim, Faridpur

Loyalists of Kamal Ibne Yusuf burn Mojahid's effigy in front of Faridpur Press Club protesting the Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid's nomination for Faridpur-3, top, while Mojahid leads a big showdown in Faridpur town yesterday.Photo: STAR

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, also BNP-led four-party alliance nominee for Faridpur-3 constituency, yesterday staged a huge showdown in Faridpur town as his opponents in district BNP earlier declared him persona non grata. Reacting to the Jamaat leader's move, Faridpur district Krishak Dal yesterday called a protest meeting and burnt Mojahid's effigy, portraying him as a Razakar (collaborator of Pakistan occupation forces during the Liberation War). They also demanded cancellation of Mojahid's candidature for violation of the election rule. As Mojahid, accompanied by about three thousand Jamaat-Shibir cadres and activists entered Faridpur in the morning with a huge motorcade, several leaders of four-party alliance greeted him with wreaths at Rajbari Road crossing. With a procession from there, Mojahid went to Alipur graveyard where he visited the grave of his mother. Later, he addressed a street meeting in front of Alipur graveyard mosque and urged the audience to vote for him. District BNP President Jahirul Haque Shahzada Mia, Secretary advocate Modarres Ali Isa and district Jubo Dal Secretary Ataur Rashid Bacchu were present, among others. At the meeting called by Faridpur district Krishak Dal to protest Mojahid's showdown in the town, speakers demanded cancellation of Mojahid's candidature as he violated the election rule by staging a huge showdown. Mojahid is a hated figure and Faridpur dwellers do not want him to see in parliament as he was involved in evil activities during the 1971 Liberation War, speakers said at the meeting. Among others, district BNP Organizing Secretary Ali Ashraf Nannu, district Krishak Dal Secretary Afzal Hossen Khan Palash, town BNP President Jahangir Mia, Mohila Dal President Bilkis Islam, Sramik Dal President Mojaffar Ali Musa, Chhatra Dal President Selim Mia spoke at the function. As Mojahid was contacted over cellphone, BNP district BNP President Shahzada Mia said on his behalf, “We are respectful to law. Our four-party alliance candidate Mojahid has not disregarded the election rules as he has come to Faridpur only to pray for the salvation of his mother.” When contacted, Faridpur District Election Officer Abdul Bari, however, told The Daily Star, “If any candidate stages showdown without approval from the authorities concerned, it will be violation of election rule.” BNP activist Afzal Hosen Khan, who is loyal to BNP former minister Kamal Ibne Yusuf, said, “Mojahid brought with him a large number of cadres from different districts as we saw many unknown faces. Faridpur is a peaceful town but Mojahid entered here with cadres to create a tense situation among the common people.”