A 'new generation city'

Plagued by perennial problems, Dhaka and Chittagong -- our two major cities -- go to polls on April 28. What will a mayoral hopeful do to solve those problems if elected? How all the modern amenities will be ensured? What is his vision for the future of the city? 
Looking for the answers, The Daily Star has talked to a mayoral candidate.

Mahi B Chowdhury, mayoral candidate in Dhaka North City Corporation, wants to turn the capital into a “new generation city”.
“Most of the residents in Dhaka north are educated and belong to the middle class. This is a perfect place to plant the seeds of change to give the city a new shape, and make it safe, vibrant and shiny,” the joint secretary general of Bikolpodhara Bangladesh (BDB) told The Daily Star in an interview on Wednesday.   

The 45-year-old former lawmaker said he was backed by Projonmo, a platform of online activists on Facebook, not by the BDB, in the mayoral race. 

“I am backed by the new generation, especially those connected with social networks. I also have a correlation with members of all political parties.” 

Mahi, who has a reputation as a good orator, is involved with different youth organisations focusing on the aspirations of the youths. 
About the concept of the “new generation city”, Mahi said he had done groundwork on it, and mentioned everything in his election manifesto. 

“I want to see Dhaka as a new generation city that would ensure security for all. It is also important to transform it into a dynamic city. The new generation deserves a world-class city.” 

In his election manifesto, Mahi pledged to resolve the city's problems through a "SMART" approach. Here “S” stands for specific, “M” for measurable, “A” for achievable, “R” for realistic and “T” for time-bound. 

"It means we will have to identify the problems, and measure those for finding solutions," he said.
Mahi, son of ex-president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, said if elected, he would address the city's major problems such as insecurity among city residents, food adulteration, traffic jam, illegal drug trade, water logging and the lack of good bus services. 
He claimed his rivals in the city polls didn't do any homework while preparing their election manifestos.

Asked why he is running in the mayoral race, Mahi said, he had always been into politics, as he came from the family of a politician. 
“However, it is certainly not the only reason for me to run for mayoralty. I want to bring a change to the existing political culture of confrontation and muscle power. I want to do something good for people.” 

He said the major obstacles to improving services for city dwellers are a lack of proper political leadership and good governance. “Legal reforms and empowerment of the mayor are also needed to this end.”  

“The concept of city government must be applied to ensure better services for city residents.” Proper political leadership can definitely make a difference.

Mahi said if he was elected mayor, he would do everything within his jurisdiction to implement his pledges to voters. 
Asked why people should vote for him, Mahi said they would cast ballots for him because the new generation wanted politics of unity, not division. 

“The new generation wants only peaceful programmes. They will choose me because they want to get out of the current political situation. They also want a leader who is honest and has a close political relationship with common people.”