In an unusual style of election campaigning that began with a devotional song and ended with a direct appeal for votes, Islamic Front–nominated parliamentary candidate and well-known Islamic speaker Md. Gias Uddin Taheri has drawn attention in the Habiganj-4 constituency.
Recently, at a roadside gathering held at Shahpur Bazar in Madhabpur upazila, Taheri performed a ghazal. As he sang—
“When Azrael comes holding the rope in his hand, my dear brother, I will not be able to hide. I never knew how many days of my life were left”—
hundreds of people in attendance joined him in chorus. As soon as the ghazal ended, the mood shifted instantly. In a calm and pleading voice, Taheri said,
“Brothers, please give me your vote.”
This sparked excitement and cheers among the crowd.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with one of his supporters at the gathering, Taheri later took the microphone again toward the end of the campaign event and declared,
“If I become an MP, waz in Madhabpur will be free.”
Videos of this unconventional appeal for votes have since gone viral on social media.
During the event, Taheri also accused rival candidates of threatening his election agents. Seeking prayers from voters, he announced plans to hold 11 more roadside meetings, before leaving the venue.
The Habiganj-4 parliamentary constituency, comprising Chunarughat and Madhabpur upazilas, has a total of 545,272 voters. A total of nine candidates are contesting the seat. However, the main focus remains on BNP-nominated candidate SM Faisal and Islamic Front candidate Md. Gias Uddin Taheri.
Other candidates in the race include Ahmad Abdul Qader of Khelafat Majlis, Md. Mujibur Rahman of BASAD, Md. Rezaul Mostafa of Insaniyat Biplob, Md. Rashedul Islam Khokon of Sangskritik Muktijot, Shah Md. Al Amin of the Muslim League, and independent candidates Md. Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury and SA Sajan.
