Cumilla division to be declared within a month if alliance wins: Asif Mahmud

NCP Spokesperson Asif Mahmud has said Cumilla will be declared a division within one month if the Jamaat-led election alliance comes to power.

He made the remarks while addressing a rally during the NCP's election march at Debidwar New Market in Cumilla today (28 January).

"I have completed all types of activities to declare Cumilla as a division. The division will be declared within one month of the eleven-party unity alliance coming to power," Asif Mahmud said.

Referring to Hadi's killing, he added, "If the 11-party unity alliance comes to power, we will arrest Hadi bhai's killer within one month. Whoever comes to ask for votes, tell them that the assurance of justice for Hadi's murder must be given."

Asif Mahmud, who is also chairman of the NCP Election Committee, said the country was at a critical moment ahead of the election on 12 February.

"We have seen oppression for the last 17 years. For the past 17 months, another party has started oppression. During the previous Awami period, disappearances, murders and killings took place. Now a party is showing the same behaviour even without being in power," he said, urging voters to support the Jamaat-led alliance.

He also alleged that BNP candidates had opposed development activities in Cumilla.

"The BNP's candidate for Debidwar and three other seats even told the chief adviser so that development activities do not take place in Cumilla," he said.

Speaking on youth issues, Asif Mahmud said the alliance aimed to make young people self-reliant.

"The youth who gave their lives in the July Uprising cannot depend on anyone's mercy. We want to honour them with dignified work," he said.

He criticised the nomination of candidates he described as bank loan defaulters and foreign citizens, saying this reflected what would happen if those parties came to power.

Asif Mahmud also accused leaders of "another major party" of making contradictory statements on reforms and the referendum.

"While top leaders speak of a 'Yes' vote, district and upazila-level leaders are campaigning for a 'No' vote," he said, adding that a victory for the 'Yes' vote would prevent the return of authoritarian rule.

Monira Sharmin, member secretary of the NCP Election Committee, alleged harassment of women campaigners and urged voters not to elect candidates accused of such behaviour, loan default or foreign citizenship.

She also criticised claims made during the BNP's election campaigns, saying, "BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman declared the establishment of an EPZ. There has been an EPZ in Cumilla since 2000. Tarique Rahman, I would say to you, you were abroad for a long time. Please study the country a little. Find out what is where and what the geographical location is before making promises."

Saiful Islam Shahid, secretary of Cumilla North District Jamaat, said the alliance aimed to secure a strong victory in Debidwar.

Advocate Tarikul Islam, convener of NCP's youth wing Jatiya Jubo Shakti, "To understand 'Bangladesh first', one must account for their previous time in power. If loan defaulters are sent to parliament, the people of Debidwar will once again have to spend a life of slavery."

The meeting was moderated by NCP Joint Member Secretary Lutfar Rahman. Joint Member Secretary Tahsin Riaz, Joint Chief Coordinator Navid Nawroz Shah, and Chief Organiser of Jubo Shakti Farhad Sohel were also present.