Election 2008

<i>Rickshaw-puller candidate</i>

26 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Aminul Islam, Mymensingh

Rickshaw-puller Md Hasmat Ali, running for December 29 parliamentary election from Jamalpur-3 (Melandah-Madarganj) constituency with Krishak Sramik Janata League ticket, said he is a representative of the poor. Grand alliance candidate Mirza Azam, also Jubo League Secretary, and four-party candidate Mustafizur Rahman Babul, former president of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, are also contesting from the constituency. Hasmat Ali, hailing from village Gobindapur Garuwanpara in Melandah, said he is getting help from his fellow rickshaw-pullers in his election campaign. “My leader Bangabir Kader Siddiquee chose me as a representative of the poor people from Jamalpur-3 although a few millionaires from Melandah and Madarganj upazilas sought nomination from Krishak Sramik Janata League. It is a respect for a neglected community [rickshaw-pullers],” said Hasmat. “More than 80 percent people living in the two upazilas are poor and my participation in the election will be a test case whether the poor choose a poor man as their representative,” he told this correspondent during the latter's visit to his election office on High School Road in Melandah upazila headquarters. “There are some 10,000 rickshaw-pullers in Melandah upazila and about 200 rickshaw-pullers are conducting campaign for me. I did not get any financial support from the party and so, I do not spend money for campaign,” he said, adding, “I have temporarily refrained from pulling rickshaw but my leader has suggested me to continue my profession.” “My participation in the election has drawn a sort of sympathy from the poor people like me who are struggling dawn to dusk to earn their bread,” Hasmat Ali said. “I have been encouraged by candidates of both the alliances,” he said spreading a smile on his face.