Chittagong mayor battle: Manjur has more assets, Nasir earns more

The BNP-backed Chittagong City Corporation mayor contender M Manjur Alam has more assets as a businessman although his Awami League-backed rival, AJM Nasir Uddin, gets more return from his investments.

It is evident through their nomination disclosures that the city Awami League General Secretary Nasir has a smaller footprint as a businessman than that of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s advisor Manjur.

Nasir is associated with six types of businesses, while Manjur holds stakes in 12 establishments.

However, Nasir earns more through his varied businesses including berth handling, manufacture of woollens, housing construction, fishing, jetty leasing, and oil transportation.

The 58-year-old politician and Chhatra League leader of the 90s has claimed to earn a little over Tk 36.2 million annually. His earnings from his businesses are to the tune of Tk 32 million. He earns an additional Tk 4.2 million as director of several companies.

In addition, he earns around Tk 32,000 by way of honorarium and bank interests.

On the other hand, Manjur who was the mayor of Chittagong for the past five years, has declared his earnings to be a little over Tk 10.9 million.

The 62-year-old was elected port city mayor in 2010 after switching political allegiance. He is one of the key persons in the Hakim Group of Companies and holds posts of director, managing director and chairman in the 12 group of companies.

He stated in his declaration that his share of profits from these companies amount to a little over Tk 10.1 million, while the honorarium he got during the past five years as mayor amounted Tk 889,000. He has earned another Tk 3.5 million by way of rent.

Nasir’s loans and debts amount to Tk 6.3 million. Of the amount, Tk 4.3 million is with the Laldighi branch of the Agrani bank, and Tk 1.29 million with the Bahaddarhat branch of the Exim Bank. He owes Met Life Alico Insurance Tk 784,000.

On the other hand, Monzur Alam’s loans and debts amount to a little over Tk 7.0 million. His companies owe various banks about Tk 3.60 billion, but there is no instance of any default.

Nasir, too, has not record of defaulting on loan repayment. He said in his declaration that he does not own any car except for an old jeep.

His wife has Tk 45,579 in cash, and Tk 131,993 in the bank. She also owns shares worth Tk 3.4 million, FDR amounting to around Tk 1.25 million, and 20 bhori of gold ornaments.

Manjur has said he has cash amounting to Tk 10.6 million, and his wife, Tk 1.98 million. His shares and bonds are worth Tk 280 million, while those of his wife’s amount to about Tk 10.7 million.

Also, he owns vehicles worth Tk 430,000, and gold amounting to Tk 233,000. His wife has gold worth about Tk 1.61 million. He has also stated the he owns non-agricultural land valued at Tk 60 million, and his wife owns plots worth Tk 10.7 million.

He has also declared other business assets worth about Tk 1.8 million.