Dhaka North Mayor Annisul Huq seeks two years to deliver on his campaign pledges

Newly elected Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq has sought two years to make good on his campaign pledges.

He said on Wednesday he had a meeting with the chief executives of 25 agencies associated with the city corporation.
 
“I emphasised proper steps for the implementation of work plans in accordance with my election manifesto. I hope people of Dhaka will see good results in two years,” he added.
 
Huq, who took over as the mayor five days ago, was taking questions from journalists at the launch of a worldwide campaign - ‘Safe Cities for Women’ - by ActionAid.
 
He said work in North Dhaka would begin as per plan and start taking ‘shape’ in the next six months.
 
During his campaign in the first mayoral election following the city’s bifurcation, Huq had said the problems of Dhaka were well-known and they had to be solved.
 
He had campaigned with the slogan – Journey to Solutions.
 
The mayor said on Wednesday: “We’ve selected four basic needs for the moment -- traffic, waste management, road light, and footpath. The relevant agencies have been accordingly instructed.”
 
A former president of the FBCCI and BGMEA, Huq took part in the mayoral election with ruling Awami League support.
 
His main rival, BNP-backed Tabith Mohammed Awal, withdrew from the polls midway through the voting on Apr 28, alleging widespread irregularities.
 
Asked about the fairness of the election, Huq said: “There were some minor faults. But, overall, in terms of voter turnout, the election was good.”
 
He said the report of the Transparency International, Bangladesh on the election expenditure of mayor aspirants was not based on facts.
 
The TIB, in its report published on Monday, claimed the poll expenses of several candidates had overshot the ceiling by a wide margin.
 
“I don’t know the basis of the TIB report. My election expenditure was within the ceiling,” Huq said.
 
“In many cases, supporters spend their money on banners, festoons, etc. Those don’t fall under my election expenses.”