BNP-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation polls, Ishraque Hossain today said that the government is sensing a mass support for “sheaf of paddy” in the upcoming city election, and is behaving outrageously.

“While electioneering, I see a mass wave of people in favour of sheaf of paddy [BNP’s symbol]. People are eagerly waiting to vote for me. Sensing this, the government has become nervous and they have started weaving a net of conspiracy,” he said.

A Dhaka court yesterday framed charges against Ishraque in a case over not submitting his wealth statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Ishraque, son of former Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, pleaded not guilty and demanded justice after Judge Shaikh Nazmul Alam of the Special Judge Court-4 of Dhaka read out the charges.

Before framing the charges, the judge turned down Ishraque’s petition seeking exemption from the charges.

The court set February 9 for starting trial of the case

While carrying out electioneering in Jatrabari area, Ishraque termed the case fake and said the government has revived an old issue to harass him ahead of the election.

“I’m not afraid,” the BNP-nominated candidate said, alleging that party leaders, activists and supporters are being barred from election-related activities.

Ishraque said they have been lodging complaints with the Election Commission seeking remedy but it has not come up with any visible steps to stop it.

“We hope that the Election Commission would play a role in ensuring a level-playing field in the election,” Ishraque said while addressing the election rally.

Taking a vow, the BNP mayoral candidate said, “We will be active in the election race regardless of conspiracies. We will continue our movement to regain people’s democratic rights,” he added.