Candidates release election manifesto
The Grand Alliance-backed Sammilito Nagorik Committee nominated Shawkat Hossain Hiron, outgoing mayor of the BarisalCity Corporation, as its mayoral candidate, on Tuesday evening, for the coming city corporation polls. Hiron announced a 23-point election manifesto, to transform Barisal into a modern and beautiful city, with civic amenities. Other mayoral candidates, including the BNP-led 18 Party Alliance-supported Ahsan Habib Kamal, and independent candidate Mahmudul Haque Khan Mamun, however, described Hiron’s election manifesto as a package of lies.
Hiron declared his manifesto at a press briefing at Ashwini Kumar Hall. He told reporters that he had tried his best to serve citizens, within his short tenure. He claimed he had been able to usher in peace, prosperity, and religious and political co-existence.
“I’ve tried my best to make the city beautiful and clean. I apologise if I ever hurt anybody, during my development works. I urge everyone to re-elect me to the mayoral post,” he said.
In his election manifesto, Hiron highlighted his expanded development programmes for women, children and disabled people. He also cited the measures taken for healthy recreation and amusement, investment for business, employment and industrialisation.
He said that female zones would be set up on educational campuses and public squares. He also promised to construct community centres and flyovers in the city. Hiron also said he would set up educational institutes and modern hospitals. He further said that he would connect Barisal with the national railway network.
He promised to maintain a balance between the old city and the newly extended parts. He also promised to take care of the age-old waterlogging problem of the city.
Prof. Md Hanif, convener of the Sammilito Nagorik Committee, presided over the programme. Amir Hossain Amu, Tofayel Ahmed, Abul Hasanat Abdullah, Talukdar Md Yunus, Bahauddin Nasim, Mahabubuddin Birbikram, Nirmal Goswami and Balaram Poddar attended the event.
-With The Independent input
