From TV studio to mayoral hot seat - the remarkable rise of Annisul Huq

From a successful businessman and a well-known TV anchor, Annisul Huq has become the first mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation.

The 63-year old former FBCCI president, with endorsement from the Awami League, won the election drawing 460,117 votes with his ‘table clock’ symbol.
 
His nearest rival, BNP-backed Tabith Mohammed had pulled out of the race midway through voting on Tuesday.
 
The son of another former FBCCI chief had alleged gross irregularities by the ruling party. He secured 325,080 votes with ‘bus’ symbol.
 
Returning Officer Shah Alam finished announcing the results of the 1,093 centres at his office set up at the capital’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the early hours of Wednesday.
 
One of Huq's pledges is to keep the Nagar Bhaban, the seat of his administration, free from political influence.
 
“I want to be a friend of the citizens, not the father of the city,” he had said.
 
Among the three city corporations that went to polls Tuesday, Dhaka North, in contrast with the other two, saw less violence, rigging or capture of polling centres.
 
Following his party’s decision, Tabith on Tuesday afternoon rejected the election citing large-scale ballot rigging by Awami League supporters.
 
Hearing about the allegations, Huq tried to play them down as 'fouls' committed in a game where the stakes were high.
 
He said, “I can’t take responsibility for anyone’s withdrawal or boycott.”
 
As the vote counting continued on Tuesday evening, Huq, who also headed the BGMEA for two terms, at a media call said he would accept whatever the outcome.
 
“If I am defeated, I’ll be the first one to congratulate the winner with bouquet.”
 
Born on Oct 27, 1952, Annisul Huq graduated in economics from Chittagong University.
 
He founded Mohammadi Group in 1986 after a stint in television as an anchor in the 80s and 90s.
 
Huq interviewed the two major political leaders of Bangladesh – Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia – on TV ahead of the 1991 general elections.
 
Apart from being a full-time businessman, he also served as the president of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
 
Annisul Huq, who apparently had no political ties, was a surprise pick by the ruling party as no other Awami League leaders gunned for the Dhaka North mayor.
 
To trump that, the BNP in an unexpected move extended support to Tabith Awal, son of another former FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo, who also advises party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
 
But it seemed the party made the decision after the Election Commission scrapped the nomination papers of first-choice Mintoo.
 
Bikalpadhara Bangladesh Joint Secretary General Mahi B Chowdhury, son of former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, had also sought the BNP’s support, but Khaleda Zia chose Tabith.
 
After winning Awami League’s backing, Annisul Huq had said he was not a candidate of the ruling party, but he had Prime Minister and ruling party President Sheikh Hasina’s support.
 
“I am not a ruling party candidate, nor a party candidate. But they (AL) have given me their support. The prime minister’s support is with me – that is my strength,” he had said after submitting the nomination papers on Mar 29.
 
“Opportunities for taking new responsibilities are emerging through this blending of politicians and businessmen,” he said.
 
Huq in his election manifesto had promised to make Dhaka a clean, safe and ‘smart’ city.
 
He had emphasised six points to make the capital a ‘liveable’ city.
 
Those are - clean, green and environment-friendly Dhaka, safe and healthy Dhaka, traffic-congestion free Dhaka, a centre of humanity, smart and digital Dhaka, and participatory and well-governed Dhaka.