Azmatullah Khan, the mayoral candidate backed by 14-party alliance, in the forthcoming Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) poll, announced his election manifesto at a press conference held at the Trust Community Centre, in Gazipur town, on Sunday.
He declared a 10-point plan to turn Gazipur into a technology-driven modern city.
“I’ll make the city corporation as a service providing institution. Gazipur city will be converted into the most developed city of Bangladesh,” he promised.
Khan explained his plans, in detail, regarding administration, citizen services, communication, waste and garbage management, waterlogging, control of law and order situation, health, education and social development issues.
Khan also said that if elected, he would provide citizen services, and divide the entire city corporation area into industrial, residential and commercial zones.
Khan further said that he would set up five regional offices in five important points within the city corporation area.
Lawmaker AKM Mozammel Haque, Zahid Ahsan Rasel, Akteruzzaman, Amanat Hossain Khan, Jahangir Alam, and local leaders and workers, were present at the press meet.
Khan, with his workers and local leaders, roamed around Gazipur town, as part of an intensive campaigning on Sunday. Central leader Mohammed Nasim, Monjur Kader Koraishi, Nurunnabi Shaon, Abu Zaher and former vice-president of Chhatra League, Mohammed Shafikul Islam Basek, campaigned in different areas.
On the other hand, Prof. MA Mannan, mayoral candidate backed by the 18-Party Alliance, visited Pubail, Meghdubi, Jhajor, Gazipur Mohila College, Kazi Azim Uddin College, and different government and non-government offices in Gazipur town. Central leader ASM Hannan Shah, Aman Ullah Aman, Fazlul Haque Milon, Abdus Salam, JCD vice-president Omar Faruk, and joint secretary Nuruzzaman Lincoln, accompanied him.
ASM Hannan Shah, also chief coordinator of Mannan’s election control body, alleged that some supporters of Azmatullah Khan had threatened them. He for deployment of army personnel, to ensure a free and fair election.
Mezbah Uddin Sarker Rubel, another mayoral candidate and district convener of Jatiyatabadi Projonmo Dal, campaigned in Pubail and Tongi areas. A group of female workers were busy campaigning for him.
Rubel told The Independent that he would win the contest, in case of a fair and free election. He, however, spoke against army deployment in the GCC poll.
Meanwhile, senior BNP leader ASM Hannan Shah, who is also the chief coordinator of the electioneering for 18-party-supported mayoral runner MA Mannan, on Sunday demanded deployment of army during the election to the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC).
“The government is engaging pro-ruling party officials to conduct the polls. Police personnel, including a DIG, from a specific district have been given charge to maintain the law and order. To ensure a free and fair election, it’s a must to deploy army,” he said.
The BNP leader also demanded removal of the pro-ruling party officials from the election duties. The election is billed for July 6.
Hannan Shah made the demands at a press conference at Mannan’s election monitoring office at Chandana intersection.
He alleged that the government is harassing the leaders and activists of the BNP-led 18-party alliance through mobile courts to intimidate the voters.
Hannan Shah, also a BNP standing committee member, further alleged that ex-Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders working in the National University are reportedly being made the presiding and polling officers in a bid to manipulate the polls.
He also said some government officials, including the director general of the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh and the Health secretary, are trying to influence the voters, violating the election code of conduct.
The BNP leader also accused senior AL leader Tofail Ahmed of breaching the election code of conduct by holding a public meeting using loudspeakers.
BNP joint secretary general Amanullah Aman, Gazipur district BNP president Fazlul Haque Milon and general secretary Saidul Alam Babul were, among, others present at the press conference.
-With The Independent input
