Ershad146;s motorcade attacked

Ershad, a crucial ally of ex-premier Sheikh Hasina8217;s Awami League-led grand alliance, was on a whirlwind election tour of his Rangpur stronghold when supporters of rival candidate Mohammad Ali Sarkar stoned his car. Eight cars in the motorcade were damaged but the former president escaped unhurt, local reports said.

This was the first such report of assault on a senior politician since the electioneering began two weeks ago as authorities have enforced extra security protection for high-profile politicians, particularly for Hasina and her arch-rival ex-premier Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP.

Officials said police in riot gear immediately intervened wielding batons and dispersed the crowd, which attacked the motorcade with sticks and brickbats shouting anti-Ershad slogans. 8220;Mohammad Ali Sarkar is a criminal, that8217;s why I did not allow his nomination this time,8221; Ershad later told another wayside rally nearby after the incident.

Meanwhile, the Khaleda Zia-led BNP has expelled four rebels, including a controversial ex-minister, who are contesting the December 29 polls as Independents, for violating the party directives.