KHULNA CITY POLLS
Candidates pledge to free city corpn of corruption
All the three mayoral candidates in Khulna City Corporation elections on Wednesday said they would show zero tolerance to corruption to free the local
government body from all types of corrupt practices.
They also pledged that they would extend all-out cooperation to the elected mayor rising above politics, no matter who wins the mayoral race.
The candidates — Awami League-backed Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance-backed Moniruzzaman Moni and Jatiya Party-backed Shafiqul Islam Madhu — made the pledge at an open meeting organised by Khulna Nagarik Forum.
They also were of the opinion that Khulna City Corporation must be made accountable to the people and a corruption–free institution at any cost.
Earlier, Khulna Nagarik Forum placed a 15-point charter of demands for the mayoral candidates.
The 15-point demands include modernisation of tax assessment system, undertaking of projects for Information Technology, undertaking of projects for development of slum dwellers, positive steps to protect and preserve ponds and water bodies, recovery of canals from grip of encroachers, permanent arrangement to cut water logging, effective steps to eradicate mosquitoes, construction of new roads and construction of modern parks separately for women and children.
All the three mayoral candidates agreed that these demands were genuine for better living of citizens.
The meeting was held at the Khulna Press Club.
Meanwhile, Moniruzzaman Moni presented his election manifesto pledging that he, if elected, would build up a clean city with zero-tolerance to corrupt practices.
Moni, who is running for mayoral race under the banner of United Citizens’ Forum, presented his manifesto at a press conference in the conference room of a local residential hotel.
Synopsis of his 21-point election manifesto is that he wants to build up Khulna a ‘clean city’ if elected Mayor of Khulna City Corporation.
‘It is my firm commitment to the people of Khulna that I will spare no pain to discharge my duties to turn Khulna City Corporation into a corruption–free and welfare oriented institution,’ he said in his election manifesto.
The BNP-backed mayoral candidate said in his election manifesto that he would ensure participation of women as much as possible in development works and create congenial atmosphere to safeguard their security and dignity.
Elections to the four city corporations — Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet — will be held on June 15.
-With New Age input
