13th National Parliamentary Election: Dhaka-11We will eradicate extortion and drug terrorism through social society: Dr. MA Qayyum

Election campaigning has intensified in Dhaka-11 constituency ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections. Since the official campaign began, candidates for this constituency and their leaders and activists have been going door-to-door to voters.

All the candidates are busy with yard meetings, opinion exchange meetings, courtesy calls and public relations. They are hearing about various problems and crises from the voters and assuring them to solve the matters.

Among the 11 candidates in this election for Dhaka-11 constituency, BNP's National Executive Committee's Microfinance Affairs Secretary and former founding president of Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP, Dr. MA Qayyum, is far ahead of everyone in terms of political experience, organizational strength and field-level activism. There is a lot of political activity and chatter going on around his election campaign across the entire constituency.

As part of the election campaigning, BNP MP candidate Dr. MA Qayyum attends a roadshow organized by Alinagar Society in East Badda, Dhaka-11 constituency on Friday (February 6). Hundreds of local residents, representatives of various social organizations, and BNP and its affiliated organizations leaders and activists participated in it.

Speaking as the chief guest at the roadshow, Dr. MA Qayyum said that every inch of Dhaka-11 constituency will be brought under the purview of area-based social societies. Through these social societies, the development plans of the areas will be implemented and strong social resistance will be built to eradicate drugs and terrorism.

He said, "No more extortion, terrorism or drug dealing will be allowed in Dhaka-11 constituency. If anyone wants to engage in these misdeeds, then it will be prevented collectively by taking the locals along. Everyone must unite against injustice."

Dr. MA Qayyum said that during the previous authoritarian government, BNP leaders and activists were subjected to one case after another, attacks and torture. Yet, no one left the party in principle.

He said, "We have endured many atrocities, but BNP has never compromised on the issue of people's rights and democracy."

Highlighting his political life experience, he said, "I was elected as a councilor at a young age due to your prayers and love. While I was a councilor from 1991 to 2013, I always tried to work for the development of the area."

He said, "I was directly involved in various developmental works including the construction of Gulshan-Badda Link Road, development of roads in the area, water and gas connections. I have been by your side before and will be by your side in the future as well."

He also said at the roadshow that the development of Dhaka-11 constituency will not be limited to just building infrastructure, but its main goals will be education, health, social security, and keeping the youth away from drugs.

Regarding the complications related to his candidacy, Dr. MA Qayyum said, "Recently, one of my opponents rushed to the High Court in the morning to suspend my candidacy. On the same day, several other candidates of this party have made similar allegations against their opponents. Just think about it - the parties that have manpower and public support are busy with election campaigns now; they are not wasting time by goming to court at the last minute and harassing others. This is a continuation of the culture of the previous fascist government of 'scoring goals on an empty field'."

He further said, "Now it may be clear to you that this absurd "Vanuatu" story about me has been fabricated with the intention of taking power. This ridiculous writ has been dismissed by the Honorable Court. Despite these misdeeds, we are continuing our campaign and are standing by the people."

Regarding rigging in the election, MA Qayyum said, "If the administration tries to do any engineering in the Dhaka-11 parliamentary constituency, it will be resisted."

In this regard, he further said, "Friends of tyranny are everywhere in the administration. Everyone must be vigilant against that threat. If there is any election engineering, I will take the people along and prevent it. I hope the Election Commission will be vigilant in this regard and take action."

He appealed to the locals and people across the country, saying, "My appeal to you, including parents and voters across the country - vote for me and all BNP candidates by using the paddy sheaf symbol. This will take us one step forward on the path of rebuilding the country and restoring democracy."

Former acting member secretary of Dhaka North BNP AGM Shamsul Haque, former chairman of Badda Union Ali Hossain, joint convener and former member of Badda Thana BNP MA Bashar, head of Siraj Mia School Constituency Kazi Anwar Hossain Mintu, executive member of Badda Thana BNP Imaz Uddin Iman, president of Ward No. 37 BNP Deepak Kumar Tiger, president of Alinagar Society Mobarak Hossain Fakir, general secretary Akram Hossain Titu and a large number of leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliate organizations were present at the road meeting.

After the road meeting, local residents said that Dr. MA Qayyum is a familiar face to the general public as he has been active in the area for a long time. They said they are optimistic about the announcement of development and crime control through social society.

It is worth mentioning that the candidates for Dhaka-11 constituency this time are BNP's MA Qayyum, NCP's Nahid Islam, Islamic Andolon's Sheikh Md. Fazle Bari Masud, Gono Forum's Md. Abdul Quader, Bangladesh Cultural Liberation Alliance's Kazi Md. Shahidullah, National People's Party's (NPP) Md. Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh Republican Party's (BRP) Md. Zakir Hossain, Ganadhikar Parishad's (GOP) Md. Arifur Rahman, Jatiya Party's Shamim Ahmed and independent candidate Kohinoor Akhter Bithi.

However, local voters mainly know four candidates for this seat. Some believe that there will be a fight between Qayyum and Nahid. Others say that since there are no candidates from Awami League and Jatiya Party, Md. Abdul Quader of Gono Forum may get a portion of the votes from these two parties. Besides, Fazle Bari Masud of Hatpakha will also share the votes. He may have an impact on the votes of BNP and NCP.

Fazle Bari participated in the Dhaka North City Corporation elections held in February 2020 and received more than 28,000 votes. He has multiple educational institutions in Aftabnagar and Rampura areas.

Dhaka-11 constituency consists of Badda police station area, Rampura police station's TV center, Aftabnagar residential area, part of Banasree, Mahanagar Project, Malibagh-Chowdhuripara; Bhatara police station's Notun Bazar, adjacent areas to Baridhara, Nurer Chala and Cholmaid areas.

There are a total of 439,078 voters in this constituency. Of these, 222,877 are male voters and 216,198 are female voters. There are 3 transgender voters.