MP 'assaults rebel candidates men'

Awami League MP from Natore Sadar, Shafiqul Islam Shimul yesterday allegedly assaulted supporters of AL rebel chairman candidate in his constituency and vandalised a loudspeaker during election campaign.

“The MP was on his way to attend a prize-giving ceremony at a local school in Halsa union. When he reached Halsa Madrasa Road, he assaulted four supporters of rebel Awami League candidate Shafiqul Islam Shafiq who were campaigning on an auto-rickshaw,” Suruj, a supporter of Shafiq, told The Daily Star.

Talking to The Daily Star, Shafiq said his supporters had complaint to him that the AL MP vandalised a loudspeaker set up on the auto-rickshaw.

Lawmaker Shimul, however, rejected the allegations and termed them false and baseless.

“Supporters of the AL rebel Awami League candidate fled when they saw my motorcade going to the ceremony,” he said.

He said he along with his party men smiled seeing Shafiq's men fleeing. “I even asked my fellow party men why they were fleeing,” added the AL MP.

He said, “It is unfortunate that a rebel AL leader is running against the AL nominated chairman candidate in Halsa Union Parishad. We cannot support the Awami League rebel candidate in the election.”

Talking to this newspaper, Returning Officer of Halsa Union Parishad Shah Alam said the rebel AL candidate is yet to file any written complaint with his office in this regard.

“I will take necessary measures after getting a complaint,” he added.