Leaders of the both rival panels in the upcoming elections of Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the apex business body in the region, blamed each other for inciting in postponement of the voting and demanded to hold the elections on the scheduled day.
On Sunday, the ministry of Commerce issued a directive notifying the postponement of the SCCI elections just five days before the scheduled voting, which was supposed to take place on November 1.
Leaders of Sylhet Bebsayi Forum, one of the two rival panels, on Monday afternoon held a press conference in a city hotel to protest against an alleged malicious attempt to sabotage the SCCI elections and demand to hold the elections on the predetermined day.
Ehteshamul Haque Chowdhury, president candidate from the Sylhet Bebsayi Forum, said in the programme that unfortunately, an evil attempt was underway to sabotage the election.
He said that the opposition panel held a press conference on Sunday and made false and baseless allegations against their panel members.
鈥楾he candidates and the election management committee of our panel have no connection with those who applied to postpone the elections,鈥� he claimed.
Earlier on Sunday afternoon, leaders of Sammilita Bebsayi Parishad, rival panel in the Sylhet chamber elections, also held a press conference demanding immediate step to withdraw the postponement order and holding the polls on the scheduled day.
The panel鈥檚 chief coordinator Fahim Ahmed Chowdhury alleged in the programme that a group incited to postpone the elections after seeing absolute victory of their panel.
He said that a party does not want the Sylhet chamber elections and they always create chaos. 鈥楾hey have postponed the elections by applying to the district administration,鈥� Fahim claimed.
Leaders of the Sammilita Bebsayi Parishad also submitted a memorandum to Sylhet deputy commissioner Md Sarwoer Alam on Monday noon reiterating the demand of holding the SCCI voting on November 1.
After coming out of the deputy commissioner office, the panel leaders told reporters that the DC assured them that if the complaint made to the Ministry of Commerce is withdrawn, then there is a possibility of lifting the suspension order.
They said that they are Hopeful of having good news soon about holding the SCCI elections.
