Chittagong Mayor Manjur Alam relinquishes post to contest city polls

Incumbent Chittagong City Mayor M Manjur Alam has resigned from his post to seek re-election in the city corporation elections.

He collected his nomination paper on Friday accompanied by BNP’s Vice-Chairman Abdullah Al Noman.

“I’ve joined the fray for mayor’s office on behalf of ‘Chittagong Unnayan Andolan’ (development movement) and am supported by the BNP,” he told reporters.

Alam became mayor in 2010 defeating Awami League-backed ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, his mentor.

“I’m grateful to the people for their cooperation during my five years in office,” he said. “They’ll be the judge.”

He handed over charges to Panel Mayor-1 Mohammad Hasan before collecting nomination.

BNP-leaning Unnayan Andolan announced him their candidate last Wednesday and the city’s BNP unit voiced its support for Alam the following day.

He claimed most of his electoral pledges had been implemented.

Mayor candidates have to resign before seeking re-election as per an Election Commission order after the High Court in 2009 identified the post “beneficial”.

Alam’s tenure was scheduled to end on July 26.

Three city corporations in Dhaka and Chittagong will go to election on Apr 28. Mar 29 is the deadline for collecting and submitting nominations.