DNCC mayoral by-election

Atiqul pledges livable Dhaka

The Awami League-nominated candid ate for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayoral post, Atiqul Islam, has promised to

make Dhaka a “livable, active, healthy and smart city”. Awami League picked Atiqul as its mayoral candidate last night as the party’s Local Government Parliamentary Board endorsed him at a meeting with party president Sheikh Hasina in the chair. In accordance with the Election Commission (EC) schedule, the DNCC by-election is going to be held on February 26.

Currently, life in Dhaka is plagued by various problems. What will a mayor do to resolve them? How will all the modern amenities be ensured? What will be his vision of the city’s future? Looking for these answers, The Independent talked to Atiqul Islam. Here is the full and exclusive interview: Atiqul Islam, a former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and  

Exporters Association (BGMEA), said his dream was to make Dhaka a livable, secure and modern city by ensuring all modern amenities.  “If elected, I want to help to give shape to the current government’s vision of making Bangladesh a middle-income state by 2021 and a developed one by 2041. This will be achieved by making Dhaka a modern city,” he added. “With the help of all, I want to make Dhaka a livable city by identifying its problems. My dream is create a city where both rich and poor people could live with their self-respect intact. The rights of residents will be protected,” he said.

Atiqul also promised to finish the unfinished tasks of former mayor Annisul Huq, who wanted to make Dhaka a clean, green and healthy city. “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tried to implement her vision through Annisul Huq. I’m aware of the Prime Minister’s vision. I’ll fulfil the Premier’s dream, if elected,” he said.

The mayoral hopeful said if he gets a chance to serve citizens, he would continue to work on development projects of Dhaka North as outlined by the late mayor Annisul Huq. “This city will be for young people; this city will be for aged people; this city will be for poor people; and this city will be for children if I become the mayor for DNCC,” he added.

Replying to a question, Atiqul said: “Proper planning and right leadership is needed to rebuild Dhaka. I hope we can do so under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”

“There are multiple problems plaguing our city. Lack of substantial and efficient transportation, frequent jams, food contamination, lack of healthy public space and low-cost housing, mosquitoes, unclean surroundings and waste management figure prominently in my list,” he added.

“If elected, I would concentrate on waste management and recycling. I would introduce special transportation, public toilets for women and Wi-Fi in public spaces,” he said.  Replying to another question, Atiqul said: “Former mayor Annisul Huq was a prominent businessman. A businessman can be involved in politics. There is no problem.” According to the election schedule, the last date for the submission of nomination papers is January 18. The nomination papers will be scrutinised between January 21 and 22. The last date for the withdrawal of nomination forms is January 29.

 The post of the DNCC mayor fell vacant after Annisul Huq passed away on November 30 last year. The Local Government Division declared the post vacant on December 1.

The BNP nominated Tabith Awal for the mayoral by-poll. Tabith Awal ran against the AL’s Annisul Huq in the previous election after the government had split the Dhaka City Corporation into two in November 2011. However, Tabith Awal had boycotted the polls halfway through the voting, alleging widespread rigging. Consequently, Annisul Huq was elected mayor on April 28, 2015.

In terms of population, the DNCC is the country’s largest city corporation with 23.45 lakh voters. Last evening, the ruling party picked Atiqul Islam as its candidate for the DNCC by-poll at a meeting of its local government nomination board at AL president Sheikh Hasina’s official residence, Ganabhaban, at 7pm.

DNCC mayoral by-election

Atiqul pledges livable Dhaka

The Awami League-nominated candid ate for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayoral post, Atiqul Islam, has promised to make Dhaka a livable, active, healthy and smart city. Awami League picked Atiqul as its mayoral candidate last night as the partys Local Government Parliamentary Board endorsed him at a meeting with party president Sheikh Hasina in the chair. In accordance with the Election Commission (EC) schedule, the DNCC by-election is going to be held on February 26. Currently, life in Dhaka is plagued by various problems. What will a mayor do to resolve them? How will all the modern amenities be ensured? What will be his vision of the citys future? Looking for these answers, The Independent talked to Atiqul Islam. Here is the full and exclusive interview: Atiqul Islam, a former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said his dream was to make Dhaka a livable, secure and modern city by ensuring all modern amenities. If elected, I want to help to give shape to the current governments vision of making Bangladesh a middle-income state by 2021 and a developed one by 2041. This will be achieved by making Dhaka a modern city, he added. With the help of all, I want to make Dhaka a livable city by identifying its problems. My dream is create a city where both rich and poor people could live with their self-respect intact. The rights of residents will be protected, he said. Atiqul also promised to finish the unfinished tasks of former mayor Annisul Huq, who wanted to make Dhaka a clean, green and healthy city. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tried to implement her vision through Annisul Huq. Im aware of the Prime Ministers vision. Ill fulfil the Premiers dream, if elected, he said. The mayoral hopeful said if he gets a chance to serve citizens, he would continue to work on development projects of Dhaka North as outlined by the late mayor Annisul Huq. This city will be for young people; this city will be for aged people; this city will be for poor people; and this city will be for children if I become the mayor for DNCC, he added. Replying to a question, Atiqul said: Proper planning and right leadership is needed to rebuild Dhaka. I hope we can do so under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. There are multiple problems plaguing our city. Lack of substantial and efficient transportation, frequent jams, food contamination, lack of healthy public space and low-cost housing, mosquitoes, unclean surroundings and waste management figure prominently in my list, he added. If elected, I would concentrate on waste management and recycling. I would introduce special transportation, public toilets for women and Wi-Fi in public spaces, he said. Replying to another question, Atiqul said: Former mayor Annisul Huq was a prominent businessman. A businessman can be involved in politics. There is no problem. According to the election schedule, the last date for the submission of nomination papers is January 18. The nomination papers will be scrutinised between January 21 and 22. The last date for the withdrawal of nomination forms is January 29. The post of the DNCC mayor fell vacant after Annisul Huq passed away on November 30 last year. The Local Government Division declared the post vacant on December 1. The BNP nominated Tabith Awal for the mayoral by-poll. Tabith Awal ran against the ALs Annisul Huq in the previous election after the government had split the Dhaka City Corporation into two in November 2011. However, Tabith Awal had boycotted the polls halfway through the voting, alleging widespread rigging. Consequently, Annisul Huq was elected mayor on April 28, 2015. In terms of population, the DNCC is the countrys largest city corporation with 23.45 lakh voters. Last evening, the ruling party picked Atiqul Islam as its candidate for the DNCC by-poll at a meeting of its local government nomination board at AL president Sheikh Hasinas official residence, Ganabhaban, at 7pm.