State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak's brother-in-law Lutful Habib Rubel has announced withdrawal of his candidature for chairman post in the ensuing Singra Upazila Parishad election in Natore district.
He announced the withdrawal of his candidature through a video message on Sunday (April 21).
In his video message, Lutful Habib Rubel said, "I have been involved in Chhatra League politics since 2002. I was the Chhatra League president at Singra Gol-i Afroze College in 2005. Now, I serve my duty as the joint general secretary of Upazila Awami League. I resigned from union parishad on April 3 last. I was elected chairman of the union parishad thrice."
"On April 8, I submitted my nomination paper for upazila parishad election. I was not involved in the situation that had arisen out subsequently. Conspiracy has been hatched against me. Different vested quarters have become active to keep me outside the election."
Rubel said the prime minister has announced that relatives of any minister or member of parliament would not be able to participate in the election. "In light of this, I withdraw my nomination paper showing respect to the prime minister's announcement and accepting the directive of Zunaid Ahmed Palak. I will complete the official processes as early as possible."
On Monday (April 15), another candidate for Singra upazila chairman post Delwar Hossain Pasha, his brother and another relative were abducted by Lutful Habib Rubel's supporters by a microbus at his directive. Kicking, punching and intimidating Pasha inside the microbus, they left him abandoned in front of his house. After rescuing him, Pasha was rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and admitted there. He is undergoing treatment there.
Later, being the plaintiff, Pasha's elder brother Mojibur Rahman filed a case at Natore Sadar Police Station.
After recording the case, police launched a formal investigation. They examined two CCTV footage of the incident. Police found that the microbus used for abducting Pasha belonged to Lutful Habib Rubel. Police then arrested three accused conducting raids.
As the confessional statements of the accused were published in the mass media, State Minister Palak asked Rubel on Friday to withdraw his candidature from Singra Upazila Parishad election.
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