“Buying votes with money means a lack of leadership qualities” – Hasnat Abdullah in Debidwar, Cumilla

 Staff Reporter | PNN:

National Citizens’ Party (NCP) Southern Region Chief Organizer Hasnat Abdullah has said that leaders who buy votes with money under the cover of night during elections lack true leadership qualities. He urged voters to resist anyone who tries to buy their votes with money or muscle power before elections.

He made this remark on Friday evening at a yard meeting organized by the local NCP in Khalilpur village of Fatehabad Union, Debidwar upazila, Cumilla. Earlier, Hasnat Abdullah conducted mass communication across different villages in the union. Speculation is circulating that he may contest in the upcoming national election from the Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency.

Hasnat Abdullah said that the politics of vote rigging and thuggery must be shown a “red card” this time. Asking a question to the voters, he said: “By selling your votes for money, do you want to remain someone’s servant? If not, then this time you must show a red card to the politics of vote theft and hooliganism. You should neither take money nor bow your heads to anyone.”

Seeking public support, the NCP leader claimed that his party had “driven away Awami fascism” and stood up against corrupt bureaucrats, ‘Aynaghar’ (a controversial intelligence wing), and unscrupulous businessmen. He added, “Even though we are a small political party, we have never refrained from speaking out against injustice. We have protested before and will continue to do so. If you believe we are qualified and honest in any way, then support us—if not, there is no need.”

Regarding Debidwar’s development, Hasnat Abdullah said that the current interim government has already allocated Tk 338 crore for the development of roads and other infrastructure in Debidwar. He announced, “Very soon, road construction in Debidwar will begin.” However, he argued that the allocation is not enough, saying that at least Tk 1,200 crore is required to repair the dilapidated roads of the last 15 years. He expressed hope that further allocations would come in phases and added that even if he is not there, the Tk 338 crore should be properly utilized.

The mass communication and yard meeting were also attended by Debidwar Upazila NCP’s Acting Coordinator Md. Jahangir Alam, National Youth Shakti Central Organizer Nazmul Hasan, Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Union member Russell Ahmed, along with other local and central leaders.