The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqul Islam Azad

Political leaders who look forward to participating in the forthcoming general elections had started preparations to celebrate the holy Eid-ul-Fitr in their respective constituencies, it is learnt.

They have started purchasing zakat gifts including sari and lungi for distribution among the voters who are poor.

Thus, the Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to generate election campaign tempo all over the country, senior political leaders told The New Nation yesterday.

Awami League Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu said the political leaders usually celebrate major religious festivals in their respective constituencies and they have already started going to their own areas.

However, he observed, this time a festive mood is prevailing across the country as the December 18 parliamentary polls are coming closer.

BNP Chairperson's Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah told The New Nation that the political leaders intending to take part in the coming polls would celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr in their respective constituencies.

Asked whether there was any party instruction in this regard, the outspoken BNP leader said no instruction is required; rather the intending candidates are going their village homes willing to celebrate the holy occasion with their relatives and voters.

"You (journalists) can find out that zakat cloths are being sold in plenty," he said.

President of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Manjurul Ahsan Khan said like previous times, he would celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr in his constituency at Islampur in Jamalpur district.

"I always maintain communication with the grassroots level people, particularly of my area and enquire about their sufferings. Our party also believes in maintaining contacts with the people," he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, now visiting his constituency in Sherpur, told The New Nation over telephone that it is nothing new to celebrate the religious festivals with the people in the respective areas.

"Rather, the Jamaat-e-Islami has a common instruction to its leaders to maintain contact with the people in their respective areas whether there is any election or not," he observed.