Dhaka North City Corporation mayor candidates start campaign

Dhaka North City Corporation mayor candidates have started campaigning three days before they are to get polls logo.

Awami League-backed candidate Annisul Huq hit the campaign trail at Karwan Bazar’s railway slum on Tuesday.

Former MP and actress Sarah Begum Kabori’s campaign was limited to her relatives and neighbours at Gulshan.

BNP leader Abdul Awal Mintoo’s son Tabith Mohammed Awal and Bikalpadhara Bangladesh leader Mahi B Chowdhury were not seen canvassing.

Jatiya Party-backed Bahauddin Ahmed Babul, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-supported Nader Chowdhury, Communist Party of Bangladesh’s Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan and Ganasanghati Adolan’s Zonayed Saki started their campaigns, too.

Before starting his campaign, Awami League-backed Huq prayed beside his mother’s grave at Banani at dawn.

He then paid respect to those killed in the 1971 Liberation War at the National Memorial at Savar.

He also went to the Bangabandhu Museum to place wreath on the portrait of the Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and to Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur.

Kicking off the campaign by seeking vote from the slum-dwellers at Karwan Bazar, Huq went to adjacent Film Development Corporation.

He met people at Chalachitra Karmachari League, Directors’ Association and the Bangladesh Film Producers-Directors Association there and asked for their support.

“We all know the hurdles to Dhaka becoming a developed city. We know the problems. My prime target will be resolving these problems of the citizens,” Huq said.

Later, he went to Karail slum at Mohakhali.

He sought the votes promising to develop sewerage system, arrange security and transports for women, develop infrastructure and build public toilets.

CPB-supported Ratan paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War at Rayer Bazar Martyred Intellectuals Memorial before starting the campaign.

He contacted people and sought votes at Rayer Bazar, Mohammadpur Town Hall and BTRC bus depot until noon.

Ratan attended an interactive session at CPB office at Paltan in the afternoon. He also went to Tejgaon later.

Ganasanghati Andolan’s Saki started the campaign after paying homage at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur.

He spoke to people there and went up to Mirpur Section-1.

He then went to Baunia slum and took part in a street rally.

JaSaD-backed candidate Nader Chowdhury held a meeting with the leaders and activists of the party at his house.

He said he will start the campaign from the Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard at Mirpur on Wednesday.

Jatiya Party-backed Bablu spoke with the voters at Uttara.

Tabith Awal was busy with the hearing on his nomination after a complaint over his defaulting loan had been lodged. His candidacy was declared valid later.

His father Abdul Awal Mintoo’s nomination has been cancelled.

Tabith’s supporter Haider Islam told bdnews24.com that they would start campaigning on Wednesday.

Bikalpadhara’s Mahi Chowdhury will start the campaign through a press conference at National Press Club on Wednesday.

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad’s expelled adviser Boby Hajjaj is vying for the mayor’s post of Dhaka North City Corporation, too. He will also begin canvassing on Wednesday.

Around 2.35 million voters are expected to take part in the election to the city corporation having 36 general and 12 preserved wards on Apr 28.

Polls to Dhaka South City Corporation and Chittagong City Corporation will also be held on that day.