BNP candidate Sakhawat announces pledge-loaded manifesto, focuses on cutting holding tax

The BNP mayoral candidate of Narayanganj City Corporation has announced an electoral manifesto loaded with 25 promises, with a focus on cutting holding tax, making the city green and curbing terrorism and drug abuse.

Sakhawat Hossain Khan's first pledge in the manifesto, announced at a news conference on Monday, is to form a council of advisors from every religion, class and profession to run the city corporation.

If he wins, he says, he will go by the advisory council's suggestions, which is not among his other pledges, to build a 'modern and liveable city'.

"Decreasing holding tax, and building a city free from terrorism, drugs and garbage will be my priority," Sakhawat said.

His pledges include:

>> The Shaitalakkhya River will be free from pollution and illegal structures. Thirty-five canals will be dredged.

>> A bridge will be built on the river.

>> A flyover will be constructed on level-crossing No. 2 and an underpass will be set up in Chasharhha area.

>> Steps will be taken to free the city from traffic congestions.

>> Law enforcement situation will be improved and narcotics control will be strengthened.

>> Committees of distinguished citizens will be formed in every neighbourhood.

>> Supply of pure water will be arranged.

>> Tax on tube-well, deep tube-well will be withdrawn.

>> Modern and cheap bus services will be launched on Dhaka-Narayanganj route.

>> Two modern stadiums will be built on the two sides of the Shitalakkhya River for the development of sports.

>> Hajjiganj and Sonakanda Killa will be turned into modern amusement centres.

>> The city corporation will exempt freedom fighters and their families from all its taxes.

>> A medical college, hospital, engineering college and a university will be set up in Narayanganj City and Bandar Upazila.

Sakhawat's campaign committee chief BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, and M Hafizuddin Ahmed, Amanullah Aman, Khairul Kabir Khokan, among other central leaders of the party, and Narayanganj district BNP chief Toimur Alam Khandaker, who fought for the same post on the party's ticket in 2011, were present at the news conference.

Kalyan Party candidate Rashed Ferdous announced at the conference call that he was pulling out of the race and backing Sakhawat.

Liberal Democratic Party candidate Kamal Prodhan, who also announced his support for the BNP aspirant two days ago, greeted Sakhawat with a sheaf of paddy, the BNP's electoral symbol.