US senator Sheikh Rahman seeks votes for brother

A Democratic Party senator from Gwinnett County in the US state of Georgia, Sheikh Mujahidur Rahman Chandan, has sought votes, prayers and support for his younger brother Sheikh Mojibur Rahman Iqbal, who is contesting the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election as an independent candidate from the Kishoreganj-5 (Bajitpur–Nikli) constituency.

Sheikh Mojibur Rahman Iqbal is contesting the election with the duck as his electoral symbol.

Addressing a public rally, the US senator urged voters to cast their ballots in favour of the duck symbol.

Sheikh Mojibur Rahman Iqbal had initially received party nomination but later contested as an independent candidate after being deprived of it.

Following his decision, the central BNP expelled him along with 67 party leaders from Bajitpur and Nikli upazilas in four phases. According to party sources, all the expelled leaders are actively campaigning in support of the duck symbol.

Speaking at the candidate’s final election rally in Bajitpur upazila, held at the Bajitpur Dak Bangla ground on Saturday afternoon, Sheikh Mojibur Rahman Iqbal said, “This expulsion itself will turn into a reward on 13 February.”

Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Mujahidur Rahman Chandan called on the people of Bajitpur and Nikli to ensure his brother’s victory. “Inshallah, your votes will not go in vain. If I, as a son of Bajitpur, can become a senator in America, then my brother will also become an MP from here,” he said.

Urging voters to go to polling centres without fear, the three-time US senator said people should inform him if they face any difficulties, assuring that he would take steps to ensure their security.

He expressed gratitude to the people of Bajitpur and Nikli and said he had returned to Bangladesh out of love for the country.

He also said the two upazilas had lagged behind in development compared to other areas and pledged to assist with development initiatives if his brother was elected.

Addressing the rally, Sheikh Mojibur Rahman Iqbal thanked the audience for their support and said he had received the BNP nomination due to their backing, but later lost it.

He claimed that the party had expelled not only him but also leaders who stood by him. “You will be rewarded for this,” he said.

Calling on voters to support the duck symbol, he urged them to cast their votes on 12 February and remain at the polling centres until 5:00pm, returning home only after the results were known.

He also expressed gratitude to expelled leaders of BNP and its affiliated organisations, including Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal, for their continued support.

Others who addressed the rally included freedom fighter Abul Fazal Hossain, Professor Indrajit Das, Professor Musleh Uddin Ahmed Makhan, expelled Bajitpur upazila BNP vice-presidents Mostafa Aminul Haque and Tafazzal Hossain Badal, former acting principal of Bajitpur Government College, and expelled Bajitpur upazila BNP general secretary Moniruzzaman Monir, along with other expelled leaders from Bajitpur and Nikli upazilas.