A member of UP has threatened to heat the voters' rods if they do not vote for their preferred candidate for the post of chairman in Badarganj of Rangpur upazila elections. The threatening UP member Shafiqul Islam is a member of ward number 6 of Kalupara UP upazila.
On Thursday (May 16), his threatening video message spread on Facebook, causing a commotion in the area. Residents of the area said that Fazle Rabbi Sweet has been in charge of upazila chairman for two consecutive terms. This time also he is a candidate for the post of chairman. He is the Senior Vice President of Rangpur District Jubo League. His only rival is Upazila Jubo League convener Hasan Tabikur Chowdhury alias Paulin Chowdhury.
Voting will be held in this upazila on June 5. Last Wednesday (May 15) night, Fazle Rabbi Sweet held an election meeting in Bairampur village of Kalupara Union. UP member Shafiqul Islam spoke there.
In his speech, he said that he is a child of the sweet area. In the last election, candidates opposed to Sweet got 33 votes in two centers in the area. Hope you don't get that this time either.
Addressing the present voters, Shafiqul Islam said, we will identify who is against Sweet. We will first caress them, hold their hands, hold their feet if necessary. But if it is not straight, then what to do? In response to such a question from a UP member, some of those present said, 'Dashi Dharab.' At that time, Shafiqul Islam said, no, if necessary, I will straighten it by heating it in a burning fire.
Upazila Chairman candidate Hasan Tabikur Chowdhury, Sweet's only rival, complained and said that two days (last Monday) before making that threat, there was a gathering of my Jubo League workers in Bairampur area. His Sangpangars, led by that UP member, tore down the canopy of the workers' rally and attacked the house of one of my workers. Although the matter was reported to the police station, the OC did not take action. Due to this, the UP member has become reckless.
Hasan Tabikur Chowdhury also said that everyone has the right to vote. Voters can work with the candidate of their choice. But there are doubts about the fair polling due to the threat of that UP member.
In this regard, UP member Shafiqul Islam said that (Bairampur area) is our home. I had a house meeting on the high school field with the brothers and nephews to vote for Sweet. If there are one or two Taris in the family, it is up to us whether we kill or not. Did we go to other areas?
In response to a question, he said that he did not attack the house of the rival candidate's worker. I went to the worker's house and told his family to vote for Sweet.
Upazila Parishad chairman candidate Fazle Rabbi Sweet's mobile phone was called several times but he did not pick up. SMS was sent to the mobile but no response was received.
When asked about this, Badarganj Thana police officer-in-charge (OC) Abdul Latif Mia said, “I am not aware of the UP member's threat.” If someone complains, the matter will be looked into.
The OC also said that no one has complained to the police about the attack on the rival candidate's house.
Bandhan/Ciecha/Saa