Jamā‘at Leader Flees After Alleged Vote-Buying Incident

In a dramatic incident in Sirajganj-2, a local leader of the Islami Jamā‘at fled on foot after being confronted by members of the public while allegedly attempting to buy votes. The episode occurred on the morning of Wednesday, 11 February, in Maynakandi village, Jhail Union, Kamarkhand Upazila. A video of the event has since gone viral on social media and circulated widely in local news outlets.

The footage shows Mostak Sarkar, the Jamā‘at Amir of Ward No. 3, handing cash to an individual when bystanders began recording the interaction. Startled by the attention, Sarkar reportedly attempted to flee the scene, pursued briefly by residents. Despite the pursuit, he ultimately managed to escape the immediate area.

The incident has sparked sharp reactions from political parties and local observers. Shahidul Islam, assistant secretary of the district Jamā‘at and chief election agent for Muhammad Zahidul Islam, the party’s candidate in Sirajganj-2, defended the leader’s actions. He stated, “It is customary to distribute funds for centre expenses and to support party workers before the election. The money in question could very well have been part of legitimate centre expenditure. Fear may have prompted Mostak Sarkar to run. There is no evidence of vote-buying.”

In contrast, Syedur Rahman Bacchu, general secretary of the district BNP and chief election agent for BNP candidate Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, expressed deep concern. “We have seen the video of the Jamā‘at leader running while distributing cash. This is not isolated to Kamarkhand; similar reports are emerging from multiple areas. Additionally, there are allegations of intimidation aimed at discouraging ordinary voters from attending polling centres. We urge the authorities to take appropriate action against those involved,” he said.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions and allegations of electoral malpractice in the run-up to the national election, raising questions about the conduct of political actors in Sirajganj-2.

Incident Summary:

The viral video and conflicting statements from political agents underscore the need for vigilance and transparency in electoral practices across the constituency.