Thakurgaon Correspondent: Delwar Hossain, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate backed by the 11-party alliance in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, has accused political opponents of deploying armed criminals to obstruct his election campaign, claiming that growing public support for the scales symbol has made his rivals fearful of defeat.

He made the allegations while addressing an election courtyard meeting at Senpara in Shukhanpukuri Union under Bhulli Upazila on Wednesday morning.

Claiming that a wave of public support for the scales symbol was sweeping through neighbourhoods across Thakurgaon, Delwar said his opponents were attempting to disrupt the campaign out of fear of losing the election.

“The more obstacles are placed in the way of our campaign, the more people will come forward in support of the scales symbol,” he said, adding that growing public participation would make it difficult for those he accused of patronising drug trading, terrorism and extortion to secure victory.

Framing the October 29 by-election as a contest against drugs, violence and extortion, the Jamaat candidate urged voters to support his candidacy to build a peaceful and safe Thakurgaon.

He pledged to work towards eliminating drugs, terrorism and extortion from society if elected, while cautioning voters against what he described as false promises and attempts to mislead them for electoral gains.

Delwar also criticised political leaders whom he accused of making promises to win elections but failing to honour them after assuming power. Referring to the referendum and the campaign for a `Yes` vote, he alleged that a political party had failed to respect the referendum`s verdict after forming the government.

He warned voters that supporting such a party again could expose them to further deception, oppression and exploitation. A vote for the scales symbol, he claimed, would help restore people`s ownership of the state and ensure equal rights for all citizens.

Seeking an opportunity to combat drug-related crimes, violence and extortion, he called on local voters to cast their ballots for the scales symbol on October 29.

Speaking as a special guest, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) spokesperson Engineer Rashed Pradhan also accused political opponents of obstructing election campaigns because they lacked confidence in winning through a fair vote.

Those who did not trust the people`s mandate and sought to become members of parliament through electoral manipulation were responsible for creating obstacles for rival candidates, he alleged.

Rashed further claimed that armed men supporting a rival candidate had attempted to attack another candidate as he emerged from a mosque after offering prayers. He alleged that such incidents reflected the influence of people involved in violence and extortion.

Warning of the consequences of allowing alleged patrons of criminals to assume leadership, he said ordinary people would suffer oppression and exploitation.

He urged voters to support the scales symbol to help build a safe, peaceful and liveable Thakurgaon.

The meeting was chaired by Maulana Abdus Samad, Ameer of Jamaat`s Shukhanpukuri Union unit, and conducted by union secretary Abul Kashem. Khalilur Rahman, convener of the National Citizen Party`s Thakurgaon district unit, also addressed the gathering.

Leaders and activists of the local 11-party alliance were present at the meeting.

The allegations of campaign obstruction and the involvement of armed men were made by the candidates` political camp. The press release did not include responses from the accused rival camp or any independent confirmation from law enforcement authorities.