Voters want their problems solved

The upcoming Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) polls have triggered lots of expectation among the voters about solving their local problems, especially the waterlogging.
For years, it has been a common phenomenon that a slight rain causes waterlogging in different parts of Gazipur and Tongi, which is also in the city corporation area.
And after yesterday's daylong rain there, it has been seen that the locals are desperate for a solution to the problem.
Many of the Gazipur residents blamed former mayor of Tongi municipality Ajmat Ullah Khan, who is seeking re-election in the July 6 GCC polls with support from ruling Awami League-led alliance, for waterlogging.
This is because, Ajmat had been the mayor of Tongi for the last 17 years, but did little to address the problem.
"We do not understand politics. We want to see development of our area, its drainage system and the roads," said Mazharul Islam, a resident of Dutta Para, Tongi.
Businessman of Tongi bazar area Nazrul Islam alleged that he had not seen any comprehensive initiative from the municipal authorities for solving the waterlogging problem over the last decade.
One of the major impacts of waterlogging in Gazipur is long tailbacks of transports on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway.
"It took me more than an hour to go about six kilometres, from Vogra to Gazipur intersection. The traffic jam was created mainly due to stagnant water on both sides of the highway," said Kabir Ahmed, an inhabitant of Shalna area.
Meanwhile, electioneering of Ajmat and his major rival BNP-backed mayoral candidate MA Mannan had to go through a tough time due to the rain yesterday.
"We could not go door to door for the rain. Our central leaders, who came from Dhaka to campaign, had to remain indoors," said Amzad Hossain, leader of Gazipur unit Jubo Dal, a pro-BNP student front.
Ataullah Mandal, general secretary of Gazipur sadar upazila unit Awami League, said they could cover a small portion of their campaign area owing to the rain.
Asked about the waterlogging problem, Ataullah suggested talking to Ajmat, who could not be reached over the phone.
JAHANGIR ISSUE
Some leaders and activists of Gazipur Awami League and its associate bodies alleged that supporters of Jahangir Alam, who withdrew himself from the mayoral race on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's request, were not working wholeheartedly for Ajmat, the AL-backed candidate.
Ratna Sultana, president of Tongi police station area unit Jubo Mahila League, said: "They [Jahangir's supporters] still seem lukewarm. It would have been better if they and our party-backed candidate's supporters worked together.'
An AL leader of Gazipur preferring anonymity alleged that Jahangir's supporters were not sincerely asking vote for Ajmat.
However, Abu Siddique, a supporter of Jahangir, said 80 percent people of Jahangir's camp were active in the field for Ajmat. The rest 20 percent, who joined them from different political parties, had not been so active.
JATIYA PARTY FACTOR
Leaders and activists of Jatiya Party (JP), a key component of ruling AL-led alliance, have got divided over extending party support to the mayoral candidates contesting the Gazipur city polls.
Monwar Hossain, president of Gazipur city unit JP, on Thursday at a media briefing had announced his support for Ajmat.
But yesterday, at a meeting in the house of Gazipur district unit JP president, the party's city unit general secretary declared Monwar expelled.
Since the beginning of Gazipur city poll campaigns, the JP district unit president and general secretary had been working against the AL-backed candidate. But the Gazipur district AL leaders had been claiming that the grassroots-level leaders and activists of JP were with the AL favourite.
Meanwhile, AL chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday had a meeting with JP Chairman HM Ershad where they discussed various issues, including the Gazipur city polls.