Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the public representatives to work for the welfare of the people saying that victory in polls is not enough, rather they (public representatives) must win the hearts of the masses.
“Being elected public representatives once means not an end of a chapter, rather they will have to win hearts and minds of the people of their locality,” she said.
The premier added: “So, you’ll have to work for the welfare of the people irrespective of the party affiliations and uphold the trust and confidence that the people reposed on you.”
The prime minister was addressing the oath-taking ceremony of newly- elected mayor and councilors of the Mymensingh City Corporation (MCC) at her office in Dhaka on Monday (May 27), reports state news agency BSS.
Sheikh Hasina said public representatives will have work for the development of their respective areas to earn satisfaction of the people.
In this regard, she reminded them about their responsibilities saying the politics for the personal interest never sustains and can’t bring any welfare to the people.
Referring to the steps of her government for decentralisation and strengthening of the local government bodies, the prime minister said new divisions and city corporations have been created in the country to attain the goal.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has been implementing Tk 1,730 billion ADP this year and public representatives will have to appropriately spend hard-earned money of the people.
About the national budget to be placed on Jun 13 next, the prime minister said over Tk 5,000 billion budget is being prepared, of which Tk 2,000 billion will be spent for implementation of the ADP.
She called upon the public representatives to oversee the development programmes being implemented in their localities to ensure proper use of public money.
Sheikh Hasina said her government wants to ensure that Bangladesh as an independent country can advance in the world stage with its independent existence.
Pointing out her government’s massive uplift efforts, she said all measures have been taken to develop the country from very grassroots level.
“We’re working not only to develop the urban areas, we’re also working to develop the rural areas,” she said.
Earlier, the premier administered the oath of office to MCC Mayor Ekramul Haque Titu, while 44 councillors — 33 male councillors and 11 women councillors — took oath from Local Government Minister Md Tazul Islam.
Local Government Division Senior Secretary SM Golam Faruk conducted the oath-taking ceremony, while Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader was present on the dais.
Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque, Deputy Opposition Leader in Parliament Begum Raushon Ershad and PM’s Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury were present, among others, at the function.
The first-ever election to the MCC was held on May 5 in a festive mood.
Awami League mayoral contender Ekramul Haque Titu was elected uncontested as there was no rival candidate against him after the withdrawal of candidature by Jatiya Party mayoral contestant Jahangir Ahmed.
Some 242 candidates contested for the general councillor posts in 33 wards, while 70 women candidates vied for 11 reserved women councillor posts in the polls.
The government upgraded Mymensingh to Bangladesh’s 12th city corporation on Oct 15 of last year.