“Atiq will win:” Fakhrul’s compliment or animosity?

Dhaka North's ruling Awami League-backed Atiqul Islam and opposition BNP secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had a chance meeting here on Tuesday at the National Press Club as part of the election campaign for the upcoming mayoral elections.

The mayoral candidate with his usual grin shook hands with the elderly opposition politician as journalists looked on, while Atiqul and Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were face-to-face at the club's canteen.

"Please pray for me," Atiqul requested blessings from BNP's Fakhrul, to which he answered curtly: "I know, you're going to win."

Those present were baffled and questioned, a compliment, a forecast or an expression of animosity was Fakhrul's comment!

Political experts said Fakhrul seemed to be vindictive, as he merely echoed the argument of his party that ruling party candidates would win the mayoral election only through vote fraud.

"But a potential political leader can not report far ahead on the result of the highly contested race," said one journalist.

Dr. Giasuddin Molla, a Dhaka University political science teacher and president of the Bangladesh Political Science Association, said: "Atiqul has once again displayed political animosity and distrust He should have reacted courteously to being at the helm of a party like BNP. "Atiqul Islam, who was previously elected mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation and succeeded late Annisul Haque, is contesting for second term.

Atiqul was addressing a meeting-the-press program at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Tuesday as part of the election campaign.

Press Club president Saiful Alam, Daily Observer editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, BSS managing director and  chief editor Abul Kalam Azad, Daily Sun editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury and Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta attended the occassion among others.