BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today blamed the activists of ruling Awami League and its student front Bangladesh Chhatra League for the deadly bank robbery attempt earlier in the afternoon at Ashulia.

“Awami League and Chhatra League men attempted to commit robbery at the bank,” Khaleda came up with the allegation while campaigning in Shantinagar area this evening in favour of BNP-blessed mayor candidate Mirza Abbas in Dhaka South City Corporation elections.

“With an aim to kill me, they fired shots at me when I was engaged in electioneering at Karwan Bazar yesterday,” said the former premier.

“You say if you want to live a peaceful life. If you want that, just vote for BNP-backed candidates in the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation polls,” Khaleda added.    

People’s lives and properties are insecure as the incidents of killing, abduction and disappearance have become a regular phenomenon, she alleged.

“Abbas was born in Dhaka and he is your son. Please vote for him if you want a peaceful life in Dhaka,” Khaleda called upon the voters.

“I lost my son Arafat Rahman Koko some days ago. Mirza Abbas is like my son. I will get relief from the pain if you vote for Abbas,” Khaleda Zia said.

When her motorcade was passing through Fakirerpul intersection around 8:25pm, some 15 to 20 men showed black flags to the BNP chief.

They also threw water bottles, sticks and brickbats that fell on two media vehicles and another one carrying personal security personnel of Khaleda. 

Despite yesterday’s attack on her motorcade, the BNP chief continued her electioneering in favour of her party-blessed mayoral aspirants in the two city corporations in Dhaka for the third consecutive day today.

The BNP chief left her Gulshan residence around 5:10pm and her motorcade was heading towards Dhaka South City Corporation to garner votes for her party-blessed mayoral candidate, BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, our correspondent reports from the motorcade.

BNP Vice-Chairman Selima Rahman and the party's women front President Shirin Sultana were accompanying Khaleda Zia to make her efforts a success.

Khaleda along with her party men visited several streets and shops in North Shahjahanpur area this evening and handed over leaflets among the voters seeking votes for Abbas.

On Monday, Khaleda's motorcade came under attack by pro-ruling Awami League activists during her election campaign at the city’s Karwan Bazar.

Khaleda's bullet-proof car was damaged but she was unhurt.

Earlier, on April 18, Khaleda kicked off her election campaign from Gulshan-1 in favour of Tabith Awal.