I'm a Sylheti, not an outsider

DS: How will you approach voters ahead of the city polls?

Anwaruzzaman: It is tough to reach all the voters in person but we have divided the city into four zones and formed ward and centre committees to reach every voter. I'm also meeting different groups of professionals and notable personalities of the city.

DS: Senior Awami League leaders, even the voters, mentioned you as an "outsider". What do you think about that?

Anwaruzzaman: My home is in Sylhet's Osmaninazar upazila, which is just 17 kilometres away from the city. The two previous mayors are originally from other districts, while I have been a Sylheti for generations.

I started my political career in Sylhet City in 1985. For decades, I was involved with AL's politics in the country and abroad. In the previous national election, I campaigned for AK Momen and I was the coordinator of the electoral campaign for the AL candidate in the 2018 city polls. I don't believe for a moment that I'm the outsider here.

DS: In the 2018 city polls, AL was faced with an internal candidate which supposedly led to its candidate's defeat. What is your opinion on the matter?

Anwarzzaman: I don't believe that any AL leader or activist will ever betray me. Those who spoke against me in the early days are with me now.

DS: Are you feeling any pressure after the result of the Gazipur City Polls?

Anwaruzzaman: No, the perspective of Gazipur and Sylhet is quite different. I'm not feeling any pressure but we are always cautious about our moves.

DS: You have recently visited Mayor Ariful Haque Choudhury at his residence. Were you trying to seek his support?

Anwaruzzaman: I visited his house considering that he and his family members are voters. Moreover, he is a senior politician and a guardian of the city. I will also be visiting the other candidates to honour Sylhet's longstanding tradition of political harmony.

DS: There are allegations of violating electoral code of conduct against you. Leaflets with the AL's political symbol are being distributed in the city while the symbol distribution is scheduled for June 2.

Anwaruzzaman: Some overenthusiastic activists printed these leaflets and are distributing them. I have urged them not to break the electoral rules and issued a statement stating that I'm not involved with these activities.

The city is still plagued with flooding and waterlogging. One of my major plans is to dredge the Surma as well as the construction of a city-protection dyke.

DS: What are your plans regarding the development of the city?

Anwaruzzaman: The prime minister has allocated Tk 2,800 crore for the development of Sylhet. Of the amount, Tk 1,350 crore has been allocated for drainage development. However, the city is still plagued with flooding and waterlogging. One of my major plans is to dredge the Surma as well as the construction of a city-protection dyke.

Besides, I aim to bring the entire city under free WiFi and CCTV coverage. I will make sure that 50,000 youngsters in the city can be employed via freelancing opportunities.

I also wish to decentralise the services of the city corporation by constructing field offices for councillors.

Md Nazrul Islam

Polls environment still not fair

DS: How are you approaching the voters ahead of the city polls?

Nazrul: We are still preparing a plan for the campaign to reach all voters.

DS: You have recently alleged an unfair electoral environment. What were the reasons and how is the situation now?

Nazrul: The election is supposed to be free and fair. However, in Gazipur City Polls, we saw that the polls ended at 4:00pm but the result was declared at 1:30am. Such delay creates a suspicion.

My competitor AL candidate has been violating electoral rules. He appeared with around a hundred leaders while submitting nominations. Even though I filed a formal complaint to the Returning Officer, no action was taken.

The AL candidate was also seen moving with uniformed police escorts which shows the partiality of the administration.

DS: After you were nominated by the party, another aspirant in a press conference alleged that you bought the nomination for Tk 1 crore. Do you think such an allegation will impact the unity of the party?

The election is supposed to be free and fair. However, in GCC polls, we saw that the polls ended at 4:00pm but the result was declared at 1:30am. Such delay creates a suspicion.

Nazrul: The aspirant is a US expatriate and he has already been expelled from the party for his false allegation. These people should be expelled from the party and their stand will not impact the party unity in any way.

DS: You have recently visited Mayor Ariful Haque Choudhury at his residence. Were you trying to seek his support?

Nazrul: Ariful Haque Chowdhury is a respected politician who sacrificed his position on the instruction of the party. I paid a casual visit to his house. But I believe that the votes in favour of BNP will be cast to JP's symbol "Plough" due to the anti-AL sentiment.

Moreover, the negative feelings regarding the nomination of Anwaruzzaman, an outsider, has created unrest in their party. Those who are unhappy with this decision will vote for the Plough.

DS: You allege against AL candidate for violating electoral rules. There are similar allegations against you too.

Nazrul: No candidate is sitting idly for June 2. Everyone is working similarly like distributing leaflets and meeting people. However, I did not arrange for a showdown.

DS: What are your plans regarding the city's development?

Nazrul: I want to bring the city under a master plan. If I win the election, I will form an advisory committee with concerned citizens, including Mayor Ariful Haque Choudhury, to plan the development of the city.

The extended parts of the city were parts of union parishad and these areas lack proper roads, water and many other facilities of a city. A lot of work needed to be done in these areas and I will plan accordingly.