A gang of criminals loyal to the lawmaker has resorted to extortion, grabbing of land, torture of people and killing of political leaders in Mirpur and Bheramara areas in Kushtia, said Khaleque at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city.

Khaleque, who aspires to contest the upcoming election as a BNP candidate from the same constituency, said that the gang also set fire to his election camp at Poradaha in Mirpur on March 3.

"Protesting the incident, I held a rally at Gobindapur Primary School ground on March 13, but the criminals equipped with arms attacked my followers and exploded bombs and damaged my private car, four micro- buses and 12 motorcycles," he said.

He said the police also refused to register cases in this regard. "Rather, false cases were lodged against my followers," he added.

Khaleque also said his life is now in grave danger as the gang might attack him anytime.

When contacted, legislator Shahidul Islam dismissed the allegations as false and baseless. He also said he does not know Khaleque and he (Khaleque) has no relations with BNP.