People skeptical of big pledges

The two mayor candidates for Dhaka South City Corporation polls -- Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and BNP’s Ishraque Hossain -- yesterday campaigned in different parts of the city and made big pledges to woo voters.

On the ninth day of electioneering, both Taposh and Ishraque promised a clean and developed DSCC, if elected.  

Several voters, however, while talking to this correspondent, expressed apprehension whether the city corporation mayor has enough power to take decision regarding development of Dhaka.

“Every day, they [Awami League and BNP mayor candidates] are making big promises that if elected they will resolve all problems. I want to ask them if they have enough jurisdiction to implement their promises or they are just rhetoric,” said Mozibur Rahman, a tea vendor from Jatra Bari.

While campaigning in the area, Taposh, flanked by hundreds of leaders and activists of AL and its associate organisations, pledged that people’s civic amenities would be ensured within five years, if he is elected.

Seeking co-operation from all to make Dhaka a modern city, he said, “I will serve as a public servant and build a developed city.”

The mayor aspirant said under a proper plan, Dhaka will be modernised systematically. “We will bring back the culture and heritage of the city.”

Asked, Nizam Uddin of Uttar Jatrabari, said, “We are used to hearing such pledges from candidates before the polls. But the reality is quite different. Many roads in the city are in a sorry state. We continue to face water crisis. We cannot walk on footpaths as they are grabbed by hawkers.”

Meanwhile, Ishraque started his campaign in Sadarghat area yesterday. He said he will take all measures to make Dhaka a clean city.

He also announced short, medium and long-term plans to solve the city’s problems. “My main task will be to make this city liveable as the present condition of the city is not suitable for that,” he added.

“I saw the sorry state of different parts of the city including Kadamtali, Shyampur and Jatrabari areas recently. It’s more or less the same in other areas. The current undemocratic and unelected government is responsible for the city’s condition,” he alleged.

“As the present government is not elected, they feel no responsibility towards people,” Ishraque further alleged.

His speech, however, made many locals skeptical.

Nabi Mohammad, a trader from Bangla Bazar area, said how Ishraque will be able to develop the city if Awami League government does not co-operate with him? “How will he fulfil his pledges without the government’s support?” he asked.