NCP candidate accused of attempted murder by running over his car, BNP candidate says, 'trying to go viral'

An allegation of attempted murder by running over with a vehicle has been brought against Ali Naser Khan, the 11-party alliance candidate in the Gazipur-2 (Gazipur city and Tongi) parliamentary constituency. A written complaint has been submitted to the district returning officer in connection with the incident. The complaint also claims that Al Amin, member secretary of the NCP’s Gazipur district unit, was injured in the same incident.

On Sunday (February 1) morning, Mohammad Tarikul Islam, a member of the NCP election management committee, filed the written complaint with the Gazipur district administration and Returning Officer.

Gazipur District Administrator and Returning Officer Mohammad Alam Hossain told journalists, “We have received the complaint and the matter will be investigated. In the meantime, a gunman and police personnel have been deployed for the security of NCP candidate Ali Naser Khan. Additional security will be provided if necessary.”

According to the complaint, on Saturday evening around 6:45 pm, a procession was brought out in support of the Shapla Kali election symbol of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance. When the procession reached the main road in the Porabari area of Ward No. 23, an auto-rickshaw carrying a microphone for campaign activities of the BNP’s Sheaf of Paddy candidate blocked the procession and continued playing loud announcements.

The complaint states that despite repeated requests by procession participants to move the auto-rickshaw, its occupants allegedly behaved provocatively. At one stage, two individuals allegedly attempted to kill participants of the procession by running them over with a private car bearing BNP election stickers.

However, the allegation was denied by BNP candidate for Gazipur-2, M. Manjurul Karim. He claimed, “The NCP candidate has made these false allegations simply to go viral due to a lack of popularity. After finishing a campaign program, I was returning via Porabari Bazar. Some of the people accompanying me got down from the vehicle to offer prayers. Later, they informed me that after prayers, they had a courtesy meeting with NCP candidate Ali Naser Khan. There was no threat or attempt to run anyone over.”

Political tension has since escalated in the area following the incident.