Khaleda’s adviser Manjur to run for Chittagong mayor again

BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s adviser M Manjur Alam will seek re-election as Chittagong mayor in April city polls although his party has not yet announced participation.

In a press conference on Wednesday, “Chattragram Unnayan Andalan” declared the incumbent port-city mayor as their candidate.
 
Manjur ran for Chittagong mayor last time under the same banner.
 
However, neither Manjur nor BNP leaders were present at the press meet at the GEC Convention Centre.
 
Manjur told journalists in the morning at the Nagar Bhaban that he has been serving the people for 22 years now and he will take part in the polls if his ‘party wants’.
 
When contacted after the press conference, the mayor confirmed, “Yes, I am Chittagong Unnayan Andalan’s candidate.”
 
After being asked whether he had BNP’s go-ahead for the polls, Manjur said, “I will talk about this later.”
 
Manjur will have to step down from his office of Chittagong’s mayor to compete in the polls and has clarified that he is ‘prepared’ to do that.
 
In the morning, he had said, “If Madam [Khaleda Zia] orders me to participate then I shall resign. I cannot say anything about resigning until the party decision is announced.”

A number of top BNP leaders of Chittagong said they will be backing Manjur if the party decides to join the Apr 28 elections.

However, BNP activists are upset with Manjur on grounds that he seldom took interest in local party activities. A section of the party’s student wing burnt his effigy on Tuesday.

The candidature announcement follows a meeting in Dhaka between the chief election commissioner and a group of pro-BNP professionals; and collection of nominations by two BNP leaders at the two Dhaka city corporations.

Manjur contested from the pro-BNP professional’s platform in 2010 and stunned his mentor, three-time Chittagong mayor and Awami League leader ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury by a decisive victory.

Known to be Chowdhury’s political disciple, Manjur became an adviser to the BNP chairperson on his election to the office.

The incumbent mayor is under criticism for his inactivity in organisational efforts and failure to address the water-logging problem in the port city.

Manjur however says the problem has been managed better than before.

He will have to take on Awami League-backed contender AJM Nasir Uddin in the April city polls for another term in office and will have to resign and file nominations by Mar 29.