DHAKA: Candidates of the rulling Awami League would win in all upazilas in the second phase of Upazila Parishad polls if the administration would not have played an impartial role.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was addressing a meeting at the press club on Friday marking the International Mother Language Day.

Replying a query of journalists, he said that upazila polls depend on candidate’s personal image rather identity of political party.

The Election Commission has supervised a free and fair poll so BNP-backed candidates got more votes than AL-supported aspirants, he added.

Moreover, more than rebel candidate is also responsible for the defeat of AL candidates, he further said.

Tofail also said that though BNP secure the majority posts in upazila polls, the party, in press conference, raised allegation against administration of vote manipulation.

He also criticized BNP for boycotting national polls and involvement with violent Jamaat-Shibir.

With President of Bangladesh Krishak League Motahar Hossain Mollah in the chair, the meeting was also attended by among others, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University AAMS Arefin Siddique.

BDST: 1511 HRS, FEB 28, 2014