AL picks Atiqul, Taposh

DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon falls from grace

The ruling Awami League (AL) has retained its faith in Atiqul  Islam but has replaced Sayeed Khokon with Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as its mayoral candidates for the upcoming elections to the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) respectively.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced the names at a press briefing yesterday. The ruling party held a meeting to finalise its mayoral candidates for the two city corporations in Dhaka on Saturday night, but did not immediately announce the names. AL chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.

While making the announcement, Quader said the candidates’ public acceptance and popularity were taken into consideration while nominating them for the mayoral elections of the Dhaka city corporations.

When asked why Sayeed Khokon—who had earlier won the mayoral election under the AL banner—was not given the nomination this time, Obaidul Quader said, “The AL board took the decision after carefully ruminating over all the candidates’ backgrounds, capacity, popularity and other traits. Our leader Sheikh Hasina took the final decision. So, I don't want to comment about who is bad or who is good now.”

“The nomination board also checked the eligibility of the candidates and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina supported the decision of the board,” Quader added.

Immediately after the announcement of the nominations, Fazle Noor pledged to work to build an improved Dhaka city. Atiqul Islam sought the cooperation of voters in Dhaka North in tackling the challenges facing the city.

Fazle Noor has pledged a 30-year ‘mega plan’ to transform Dhaka if he is elected during the January 30 city corporation polls. “If the people elect me, I will preserve the tradition of old Dhaka in a wider range. Those who are neglected in the capital will be given all kinds of civic benefits. I will make the dream of 2041 successful through a 30-year plan,” he said.

He said a more developed capital was imperative for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s goal of transforming Bangladesh into a developed country.

Fazle Noor also said, “I would like to thank those who nominated me for the party’s decision, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. I would like to thank the people of Dhaka-10 constituency, the people who always embrace me with a lot of love, and trust me. Just as the people of the area loved me, had confidence in me, I hope all the people of the South will do the same.”

The AL mayoral candidate recalled the late mayor Annisul Huq as he reached the doorsteps of the people. Fazle Noor said he was inspired by his work. He said, “I will work full time to secure the civic benefits of the people of the South. Many people may be upset about not getting nominated. Don’t go beyond the party’s decision. I wish to get everyone’s cooperation.”

On the other hand, Atiqul Islam said, “I would like to thank Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League Local Government Nomination Board for giving me the nomination again and for giving the nomination to Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as. If we are elected, we will adopt a comprehensive plan and build a modern Dhaka. I have faced many challenges in the last nine months as mayor. We know what the challenges are. North and South City Corporations will give a beautiful Dhaka to the people of the capital.”

Meanwhile, Fazle Noor resigned as MP from Dhaka-10 constituency to compete in the DSCC election as an AL mayoral candidate. He submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, who accepted the resignation. On December 28, the BNP nominated Ishraque Hossain for the mayoral race of the Dhaka South City Corporation and Tabith Awal for the Dhaka North City Corporation. The elections to the city corporations will be held on January 30 next year.

Profile of Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh

Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh is the son of Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni, a nephew of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the founder of Juba League. Fazle Noor is a three-time lawmaker from the Dhaka-10 constituency. His elder brother, Prof Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, is the Juba League chairman while his uncle Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim is a member of the AL presidium and also a former chairman of the Juba League.

Atiqul Islam

Atiqul Islam is the incumbent mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation. He was backed by the ruling AL to contest in the by election to the DNCC in 2018 after the post fell vacant following the death of former DNCC mayor and businessman Annisul Huq on November 30, 2017.

Atiqul is a brother of former chief justice Md Tofazzal Islam and former Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) chief Moinul Islam. A former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for the 2013–14 term, he now heads the Centre of Excellence for Bangladesh Apparel Industries.

 

AL picks Atiqul, Taposh

DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon falls from grace

The ruling Awami League (AL) has retained its faith in Atiqul Islam but has replaced Sayeed Khokon with Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as its mayoral candidates for the upcoming elections to the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) respectively. AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced the names at a press briefing yesterday. The ruling party held a meeting to finalise its mayoral candidates for the two city corporations in Dhaka on Saturday night, but did not immediately announce the names. AL chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting. While making the announcement, Quader said the candidates public acceptance and popularity were taken into consideration while nominating them for the mayoral elections of the Dhaka city corporations. When asked why Sayeed Khokonwho had earlier won the mayoral election under the AL bannerwas not given the nomination this time, Obaidul Quader said, The AL board took the decision after carefully ruminating over all the candidates backgrounds, capacity, popularity and other traits. Our leader Sheikh Hasina took the final decision. So, I dont want to comment about who is bad or who is good now. The nomination board also checked the eligibility of the candidates and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina supported the decision of the board, Quader added. Immediately after the announcement of the nominations, Fazle Noor pledged to work to build an improved Dhaka city. Atiqul Islam sought the cooperation of voters in Dhaka North in tackling the challenges facing the city. Fazle Noor has pledged a 30-year mega plan to transform Dhaka if he is elected during the January 30 city corporation polls. If the people elect me, I will preserve the tradition of old Dhaka in a wider range. Those who are neglected in the capital will be given all kinds of civic benefits. I will make the dream of 2041 successful through a 30-year plan, he said. He said a more developed capital was imperative for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas goal of transforming Bangladesh into a developed country. Fazle Noor also said, I would like to thank those who nominated me for the partys decision, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. I would like to thank the people of Dhaka-10 constituency, the people who always embrace me with a lot of love, and trust me. Just as the people of the area loved me, had confidence in me, I hope all the people of the South will do the same. The AL mayoral candidate recalled the late mayor Annisul Huq as he reached the doorsteps of the people. Fazle Noor said he was inspired by his work. He said, I will work full time to secure the civic benefits of the people of the South. Many people may be upset about not getting nominated. Dont go beyond the partys decision. I wish to get everyones cooperation. On the other hand, Atiqul Islam said, I would like to thank Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League Local Government Nomination Board for giving me the nomination again and for giving the nomination to Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as. If we are elected, we will adopt a comprehensive plan and build a modern Dhaka. I have faced many challenges in the last nine months as mayor. We know what the challenges are. North and South City Corporations will give a beautiful Dhaka to the people of the capital. Meanwhile, Fazle Noor resigned as MP from Dhaka-10 constituency to compete in the DSCC election as an AL mayoral candidate. He submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, who accepted the resignation. On December 28, the BNP nominated Ishraque Hossain for the mayoral race of the Dhaka South City Corporation and Tabith Awal for the Dhaka North City Corporation. The elections to the city corporations will be held on January 30 next year. Profile of Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh is the son of Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni, a nephew of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the founder of Juba League. Fazle Noor is a three-time lawmaker from the Dhaka-10 constituency. His elder brother, Prof Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, is the Juba League chairman while his uncle Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim is a member of the AL presidium and also a former chairman of the Juba League. Atiqul Islam Atiqul Islam is the incumbent mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation. He was backed by the ruling AL to contest in the by election to the DNCC in 2018 after the post fell vacant following the death of former DNCC mayor and businessman Annisul Huq on November 30, 2017. Atiqul is a brother of former chief justice Md Tofazzal Islam and former Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) chief Moinul Islam. A former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for the 201314 term, he now heads the Centre of Excellence for Bangladesh Apparel Industries.