DNCC mayoraspirants declare fight against graft

Several mayoral candidates of Dhaka's north yesterday told a dialogue that if elected, their priority would be to build a corruption-free and functional city corporation.

The local government body neither will deliver proper services nor will be operational unless rampant corruption and blatant politicisation are stopped, they said.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh organised the dialogue, "Dhaka in the thoughts of the youth", in Spectra Convention Centre of the capital.

Twelve out of 16 mayoral contenders in Dhaka North City Corporation took part in it.

Replying to questions from the young audience members, the aspirants also pledged to make the city friendly for women, children and elderly people.

Promises also include better waste management and public transport services, reclamation of occupied footpaths, playgrounds, improvement of open spaces, safety for women, development of slum dwellers' living conditions, and inclusive welfare of people with disability.

Liberal democrat Zonayed Saki said he would fight environment pollution by introducing recycling of wastes and restrict private cars to make the mass transport system more functional. 

He added that the city corporation had been reduced to a bureaucratic organisation due to what he termed a "constitutional dictatorship" making the prime minister all powerful. 

Mahi B Chowdhury of Bikalpadhara Bangladesh said he would launch a youth-led campaign for change.

To BNP-blessed candidate Tabith Awal, a modern public transport system friendly to women, people with disability, and the elderly would be a top priority.

Moajjem Hossain Khan Majlish emphasised reclamation of parks, playgrounds and open spaces. 

Another candidate, Nader Chowdhury, a TV actor, said he would raise public awareness against drug abuse among the youth and provide cultural and sports facilities for them.

The priorities of Anisuzzaman Khokon, who lived in New York for over past three decades, will include checking capricious hikes of house rents and freeing the city corporation from the central government's interference.

Sheikh Shahiduzzaman said, "I will provide each person with physical and mental disability an apartment, reclaiming government land."   

AYM Quamrul Islam, Md Jaman, Kazi Md Shahidullah, Sheikh Md Fazle Bari Masud, and some other contenders made similar pledges. Awami League-backed candidate Annisul Huq was not present at the dialogue.