The election campaigns of the two City Corporations in capital Dhaka have reached the peak as candidates from ruling Awami League (AL), BNP and other parties are exercising their full force in electioneering. They have done their best to impress the voters through their personal presence as well as by their activists and volunteers to get support and vote of every potential voter on the polling day on February 1.
Apart from seeking vote and distributing leaflets, the volunteers, supporters and activists of two major political parties have stuck posters of their party candidates in the entire Dhaka city. While visiting different areas in the capital including Islampur, Old Dhaka, Nazirabazar, Nayabazar, Bangshal, Ala Uddin Road, Shikkatuli Lane, Gulistan, Bangabazar, Motijheel, Paltan, Fakirapul, Arambagh, Wari, Manda, Mugda, Basabo, Mirpur, this correspondent found thousands of posters have almost covered up the entire area.
The posters of different candidates have been hung with ropes from one building to another, between electric poles, trees and different markets. Not only that, banners had also been set up in different areas. The posters, including banners of the main leaders of the party, had been asked to vote for the boat or sheaf of paddy symbols for mayoral candidates of AL and BNP.
Besides, councilor candidates have also hung their posters with different symbols in almost every lanes and by-lanes at their respective ward area. In Mugda-Manda, Kilgoan-Basabo area, it was found that the candidates of mayor and councilors have put up posters in various streets to catch the attention of the voters and the common people.
Mahbub Alam, a resident of Manda area said, “The posters of different political parties have been stuck in such a way that the sky cannot be seen clearly from the road.”
Campaign reaches peak
AL nominated mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Atiqul Islam on Monday started his campaign form Khilkhet rail gate area in the capital for the 11th day. He also carried out electioneering at different areas including Lake City, Concord, Kuril, Jamuna Future Park, Vatara and Ashkona under DNCC ward no 17 and 43.
Terming boat as a symbol of development, Atiqul with a good number of his supports sought vote for the boat. Besides, AL mayoral candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh on Monday started his election campaign through seeking vote from Khilgoan Rail gate (Bata More) area.
During the campaign, Taposh said, “I am the only candidate who has given the outline to build a modern Dhaka. No other candidates could give this outline.” On the other hand, BNP nominated mayoral candidate Ishraque Hossain for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) said that he will free the city corporation from corruption, if elected.
He said this before starting his election campaign for the 11th day in a row in front of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) under ward no 20 on Monday. During the campaign he said, “People want change. People from all walks of life are eager to cast their vote in favour of sheaf of paddy.”
Besides, BNP nominated mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Tabith Awal on Monday started his campaign from in front of Baitul Moshrarraf Jame Mosjid, section 6 in Mirpur. BNP general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir with other leaders and activists of BNP also attended Tabith’s campaign during the day.
Tabith Awal and Mirza Fakhrul termed the February 1 election as a turning point for the party and called upon the voters to take part in the election without fear.
