Dhaka, Jan 23 – The Awami League mayoral candidates for Dhaka North and South city corporation elections are wooing votes from door to door making attractive pledges for the people in their respective city while the opposition BNP candidates sensing conspiracy to manipulate the elections and called upon the Election Commission to play its neutral role in holding the elections in a free and fair manner. Meanwhile, BNP yesterday sent a letter to the EC asking it to take lawful measures against those carried out attack on its mayoral candidate Tabith Awal on Tuesday. The party alleged that at least 10 of its activists including councillor candidate Nazimuddin Dewan of ward 50 were injured in a fresh attack carried out by ruling party cadres in Uttara yesterday. Of them, Nazimuddin has been admitted to Uttara Red Crescent Hospital.
The elections to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) are scheduled to be held on January 30.
Taking part in the electioneering, AL mayoral candidate Atiqul Islam for Dhaka North said that he has identified the challenges for the DNCC and their solutions while he discharged duty as its mayor during the previous nine months.
Speaking at a rally at Pulpara circle of Jaffarabad area, said that he is surprised as there is no Entomologist in the city corporation whereas the Aedes mosquito season is just beginning.
If voted, he said, “Vector management will be coordinated to prevent the spread of dengue.”
Atiqul who won the last DNCC mayoral by-election in February last year, called for digital campaigning in a digital manner to stop posters placed everywhere. If he is elected as a Mayor, separate walls will be fixed for placing posters, he said.
Referring to the pitiful condition of Baishakhi field in Mohammadpur, Atiqul Islam said that it would be modernized in the next one year. Besides, seven modern parks are being opened in the Mohammadpur area, he said.
Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, president of Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League, general secretary of Jubo League Mainul Hossain Khan, ward 4 Awami League president Rabiul Alam, general secretary Siddiqur Rahman Bhuiyan and Shamil Lamidh Shamil were present at the campaign.
Atiqul Islam yesterday started his election campaign rally from Dhaka’s Rayer Bazar– ward 30, 32, 33, 34.
Meanwhile, Awami League-nominated mayor candidate of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh yesterday said that he left his MP (Member of Parliament) post and took challenge only for implementing his dream not for going back with failure.
He said this at a program titled “’Combined Business Council – Business Conference 2020’’ in a convention hall inold Dhaka while exchanging view with the businessmen.
Taposh said he himself is a businessman and he can realize the problem of a businessman.
“What a businessman thinks and what will be his daily routine and problem, I can realize it,” he said.
“So I tell you, I have no magic wand, nor any magic hat. I am a real person. From a very early age, I have come to this end with relentless hard work and integrity. Do not show you any magical dreams. All I can say is that Dhaka Southern City Corporation will be a real business services company”. He said.
“Trade licenses are not something that small business owners have to wait for nine months or six months. Any trade license decision will be settled within five business days,” he mentioned.
Taposh also said that he will set up the help desk for the businessmen.
“If I am elected for the mayor post I will set up a help desk which will ensure all possible support for the businessmen. All the service will be brought in an online system,” he said.
“I left the MP post for only resolve the problem of businessmen. Many of said that the path I chose is not suitable for me but I walk against the tide and I will do it as a mayor,” he added.
BNP mayoral candidate for Dhaka North Tabith Awal yesterday observed that a mass upsurge has been created in favour of the sheaf of paddy, the poll symbol of the BNP ahead of the elections.
“Being afraid, my opponent Atiqul Islam is suffering from mental pressure and terms Tuesday’s attack on me as untrue and unrealistic,” he said.
He claimed that about 80 party supporters were injured during Tuesday’s attack at Gabtoli.”The attack was carried out targeting me and we have lodged a complaint to the EC in this regard,” he added.
Tabith, son of business tycoon Abdul Awal Mintoo, said they will be waiting for 48 hours to see the action of the EC that formed an enquiry committee in this regard.
Had the EC should be active from earlier and a magistrate should be attached with a mayoral candidate, he added.
President of Jatiya Samatantrik Dal ASM Abdur Rab and Juba Dal president Saiful Islam Nirab, among others, were present during the campaign in Uttara.
Meanwhile, BNP mayoral candidate Engr Ishraque Hossain of Dhaka South yesterday carried out electioneering at Kamrangir Char in the city and wooed vote the sheaf of paddy.
He alleged that the present government has snatched the rights of people and he took part in the election as part of the party movement to free party chairperson Khaleda Zia and restore the democracy in the country.
Ishraque asserted that they won’t accept any conspiracy to manipulate the forthcoming city votes and said there will be no space for the terrorists in the city.
He also called upon the administration as well as the police to play their neutral role and to keep in favour of the people in holding the city elections in a free and fair manner.
Former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr Emajuddin Ahmed and Habibunnabi Khan Sohelk, among others, took part in the electioneering with him. – Staff Reporter
