Ex-adviser Mahfuj’s brother contesting polls from NCP as father campaigns for BNP candidate in Lakshmipur
The contrasting campaigns unfolded yesterday in Lakshmipur-1.
A rare clash between political ideology and family ties has become a major topic of discussion among voters in Lakshmipur-1 (Ramganj), where members of the same family are fighting for rival parties in the upcoming national election.
While the son is contesting the election as a candidate of the National Citizen Party (NCP), the father has publicly campaigned for the BNP candidate, urging voters to cast ballots for the party's electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy.
The contrasting campaigns unfolded yesterday in Lakshmipur-1.
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Mahbub Alam, a central NCP leader and candidate of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 10-party alliance, is contesting the polls with the NCP's "Shapla Koli" symbol. He is the brother of former information adviser Mahfuj Alam.
His father, Azizur Rahman, however, is general secretary of the BNP's Ichhapur union unit under Ramganj upazila and has been actively campaigning for party candidate Shahadat Hossain Salim.
Local residents said Azizur participated in at least 18 courtyard meetings and street rallies across the union on Thursday and yesterday alongside the BNP candidate.
At each gathering, he called on voters to support the sheaf of paddy.
Asked why he is campaigning against his own son, Azizur said family matters are personal, while politics is a question of ideology and position.
"I have been involved in BNP politics for a long time. There is no scope to change my political stance due to personal relationships. That is why I am campaigning for the BNP candidate," he said, adding that he nevertheless prays for his son as a father.
Mahbub took a cautious stance on the issue, saying he is aware of the matter but does not wish to comment. "You can ask my father about this," he said.
BNP candidate Shahadat Hossain Salim said Azizur is a long-tested BNP leader who has demonstrated that the party comes before individuals and ideology before personal relationships.
"I am confident that no one can stop our victory," he added
