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Campaigns warm up city dwellers


Published : 14 Jan 2020 09:29 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 10:53 PM

Campaigning for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) polls is gaining momentum with the election getting closer. In their relentless efforts to garner people’s support and mandate, candidates are going door to door. The aspirants of DNCC and DSCC elections and their agents passed a busy day in electioneering on Tuesday.

Awami League DSCC mayoral candidate, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, launched campaign at South Kamrangirchar while Bangladesh Nationalist Party DNCC candidate, Ishraque Hossain, at Trimohani at Meradia in the city on the day. Besides, Awami League mayoral aspirant Atiqul Islam launched election campaign from Agargaon while BNP candidate Tabith Awal at Fuji Trade Centre at Badda in the city on the same day.

The mayor and councilor candidates and their supporters put in their frantic efforts to woo voters in those areas of the city to ensure their victory. They were found busy in distributing leaflets and festoons as well as making personal appearances to voters for appeals as polls are scheduled to be held on January 30.

Most candidates staged big shows of strength by bringing out colourful processions and holding rallies on Tuesday in their respective areas. Awami League DSCC mayoral candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh during his campaign, promised city dwellers of providing them with round the clock service.

“If I’m elected mayor of DSCC, I will provide service to the city dwellers in 365 days. I will be engaged in providing service to city people round the clock,” he said. He launched his campaign at 12.30pm from Jhauchar area of Kamarangirchar and visited Wards 55, 56 and 57.
Taposh said, new Wards will be revamped and be given good shape with all modern facilities.

He also sought vote for Nur-e-Alam, councillor candidate of 55 no ward and Shefali Begum, councillor candidate for reserved seat for women (Ward no-55, 56 and 57). Awami League central and local leaders and workers also took part in the campaign. On the other hand, BNP DSCC mayoral Ishraque Hossain expressed grave concern over the holding of free, fair and impartial election.

“A plot is being hatched to rig the DSCC polls. A film on ‘vote rigging’ is now being made,” he said while delivering campaign speech at Trimohani at Meradia in the city on Tuesday. Apart from these, he alleged that the Election Commission, as per government directive, is trying providing a one-sided playing field.

“Our posters are being torn down. Are we doing wrong as our workers are also being barred to paste posters,” Ishraque Hossain said. He said, if the BNP leaders try to paste posters, they are issued threat to be handed over to police by filing case. “There is no democracy in the country. The country is being destroyed in many ways since 13 years. The people’s voices are also being gagged. There is no development in the country,” Ishraque Hossain said.

He also called upon the city people to elect him mayor, promising that if he won, he would return people’s right. Meanwhile, Awami League DNCC mayoral aspirant Atiqul Islam on Tuesday termed city corporation polls as a challenge, saying ‘there is nothing impossible’.
“If we can work together, there will be no impossible task in the world. Inshallah, everything will be possible. I’m requesting all Awami League leaders and workers to go door to door of every city dweller and uphold the development works of the government,” he said. He said that he tried to work hard and practiced for the last nine months.

“A big road is being constructed in Agargaon area in the city. At least ten kilometres road is being prepared for bicycle plying. Everybody will be able to come to the road for entertainment. Besides, seven parks will be modernised in Mohammadpur area,” Atiqul Islam said. Meanwhile, BNP candidate Tabith Awal expressed firm determination not to boycott the city polls midway amid what he termed ‘instigation’.

“The Election Commission is not taking any step to ensure a level-playing field for the upcoming Dhaka city polls. We are being obstructed from carrying out electioneering ahead of the polls in many ways. The opponent candidates are engaged in instigating us to boycott the polls. But we will not do that, we will continue until the polls,” he said.

He said that they will be continuing campaign in a peaceful manner. “Our councilors’ election campaign offices are also being ransacked under the very nose of the authorities concerned. But the commission is playing a silent role in his regard,” he added.