Ekramul Karim Chowdhury, the ruling Awami League lawmaker from Noakhali-4 constituency, has threatened to halt development projects if his son is not voted in the upazila parishad polls.
鈥業 will not undertake any development projects in areas where fewer votes will be cast in favour of my son. Give and take. If you support me with your votes, I will reciprocate,鈥� the MP said in a viral video.
The lawmaker of Noakhali Sadar- Subarnachar constituency made the remark while addressing local voters at a street rally in Ward-6 of Mohammadpur Union in Subarnachar upazila on Tuesday.
His son, Atahar Ishraq Sabab Chowdhury, is contesting as a chairman candidate for Subarnachar upazila parishad against the incumbent upazila chairman AHM Khairul Anam Chowdhury Salim.
The MP鈥檚 remark went viral on social media.
When asked about his statement, Ekramul denied making such remarks, asserting that he did not threaten to halt development projects. Instead, he claimed that the video was deliberately edited, cutting out parts of his original speech.
Asked about an MP taking part in an election campaign, Noakhali's senior election official Nowabul Islam said that a person is only officially considered a candidate in the election after the last day for withdrawal of candidature, which has not yet passed.
Before that deadline, an MP can introduce their family members, he added.
The first phase of the upazila parishad elections to 152 upazilas is scheduled to be held on May 8.聽 聽
