Election 2008

Muhith's pre-poll salvo against rival Saifur

17 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Sylhet

Saifur Rahman and AMA Muhith

Grand alliance nominee in Sylhet-1 constituency AMA Muhith yesterday said BNP nominee former finance minister Saifur Rahman can not shirk responsibilities for misdeeds done during 4-party alliance rule. In the name of development, BNP-Jamaat leaders plundered public money and property and named many government-built institutions after party leaders illegally, Muhith said. He was speaking at a view-exchange meeting with journalists in the city. A former finance minister during Ershad's rule, Muhit faces BNP stalwart Saifur for the second time in the Sylhet-1. Muhith lost to Saifur in 2001 election. Muhith, also a member of Awami League advisory committee, said the December 29 election will re-establish democracy and free people from the effects of 4-party alliance rule. He claimed that the 4-party government during its tenure did false propaganda about their so-called development works to befool people. In fact, most of the major development projects in Sylhet region were initiated or implemented by former speaker Humayun Rashid Chowdhury during AL rule. Projecting his views, the AL leader said, “We want to make Sylhet enlightened by developing educational institutions, ensuring health care services and uprooting corruption and violence”. He also praised the electoral reforms made by the Election Commission and the caretaker government. “We hope there would be a better election this time with less flaws since we have got a better voters list with photo. “It will stop casting of fake votes but many things are yet to be done to ensure a fair election”. He suggested allowing campaign beyond 8 PM. The Election Commission does not allow campaign beyond 8 pm. Maintaining law and order till the election and beyond is a must. But the decision to keep cell phone service off is not correct, Muhith said. Former lawmaker Syed Zebunnesa Haque, Sylhet district AL president ANM Shafique and secretary Iftekhar Hossain Shamim, city AL secretary Misbahuddin Ahmed Siraj and leaders of partners in the grand alliance were also present at the meeting.