Mirza Abbas pledges modern, liveable Dhaka

The election manifesto of BNP-backed mayoral candidate of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) was announced on Monday with 10 points charter that includes 98 promises offering a secured and modern liveable Dhaka city.  
"If elected we (BNP candidate) will build an ideal and globally fit liveable Dhaka city through ensuring institutional services, preserving citizens' heritage, values and protecting  democratic and human rights," Afroza Abbas, wife of mayoral candidate Mirza Abbas, said while announcing the election manifesto on behalf of her husband at the National Press Club.    
"We will implement our manifesto in cooperation with the Dhaka city dwellers," she said.
The 10 points are: 1) Citizen Service, 2) Civic Amenities, 3) Reduction of Traffic Jam and Development of Communication, 4) Health Service, 5) Education Sector, 6) Environmental Development and Waste Management, 7) Technological Dhaka, 8) Social Service, 9)  Public Security and 10) Urban Planning and Administration.
She alleged that the government is obstructing their election campaigns through taking away their campaigners and giving them threat and intimidation.    
"People will reply the government-created hurdles/obstructions through vote revolution," she said.
She alleged that the Election Commission (EC) and the government are yet to ensure a level- playing field despite their repeated appeals.
She demanded of the EC not only to deploy army but also install close circuit (CC) cameras at polling booths.
Their (the government and EC) activities reflect that they again want to arrange a voterless election like that of January 05 in 2014.
"If such things happen again then people will resist it," she added.  
She said during the campaign when she goes to any house for offering prayers (namaj) then police raid the house. She said that they were getting a good response from the city dwellers.
She believes that the Dhaka city dwellers will remain with her husband for the interest of their security and dignity.
She said everyday she lodges complaints with the EC and the government but is yet to get any remedy.
"Should I make quarrel with the police and their (ruling party) cadres? I could not do so like them. Mirza Abbas is the son of Dhaka. He has the rights to do his campaign and contest the polls," she mentioned.
She asserted that if the voters could go to the polling booths and cast their votes to mug symbol then they will make him victorious (Mirza Abbas) with a big margin.
BNP standing committee member Brigadier General A. S. M. Hannan Shah who was present at the programme alleged that the ruling party cadres were obstructing the electioneering efforts of party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
"There is no soil beneath the government's foot and for this reason they (the ruling party) are creating obstructions to Khaleda Zia's campaign. And there will be no benefit. There will be a vote revolution on April 28," he said.
He called upon the party leaders and activists to remain alert at the polling booths so that the vote thieves could not steal the votes.  
Convener of Adorsho Dhaka Dr Emajuddin Ahamed who presided over the programme said the government had increased taxes undemocratically and unlawfully.
"The elected persons could only decide how much taxes the dwellers should pay. The government could not do this," he said.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com