Developing road, industry common poll pledges
Candidates of both BNP and AL- led alliances, the two main contenders of Chittagong- 7, are carrying out vigorous campaign with pledges for developing roads and focusing on industrialisation in the constituency.
The constituency comprises five CCC wards (No 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) and Boalkhali upazila excluding two unions Sripur and Kharandwip.
The CCC wards always buzz with industrial activities having Kalurghat and Chandgaon heavy industrial areas while Boalkhali is neglected and deprived of development.
In 2001 election, former BNP minister Morshed Khan won the seat defeating AL candidate SM Abul Kalam.
Morshed was hardly seen in the locality having roads that can be compared only with those of remote areas, alleged the locals.
However, people of this constituency now hope for a change.
A total of seven candidates, two from the alliances, three from other parties and two independent, are contesting for the constituency.
But, a direct fight is likely to take place between 4-party alliance candidate and grand alliance candidate from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD).
Being Morshed a convict in EPR case, BNP has fielded former BNP Joint Secretary General Ershad Ullah, also an industrialist and former BGMEA 1st vice- president, in this seat against grand alliance candidate and JSD Executive President Moinuddin Khan Badal.
Despite being a new face in the electoral race, Ershad is enjoying a good popularity in the constituency.
“I want to work for the development of the locality and to improve the lot of the common people and establish a violence-free society,” said Ershad while talking to this correspondent on Friday.
He has already made door-to-door visits and mass communication at Mohora, Shalsha in Boalkhali and Chandgaon B block, Bahodderhat, Muradpur, Sholoshahar and Panchlaish in the city.
“My commitment is to construct an embankment-cum-road from Bhanderboard to Taxgarh that would stop massive erosion and facilitate communication as well,” said Badal, who is also a veteran freedom fighter.
“Development of road network to help growth of agro-based industries and agricultural is getting priority in my commitments,” he told The Daily Star.
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