The electoral campaign for the Rajshahi City Corporation election is over with voting slated for Monday, 30 July.
Five persons will compete in the polls though the main battle will be between AL and BNP. AL candidate, Khairuzzaman Liton, is hopeful of winning by 60-70 thousand votes.
The same confidence has also been aired by incumbent mayor under BNP banner, Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul.
Apart from the five mayoral candidates, campaign was also carried out by candidates vying for 52 women councillor and 160 general councillor posts.
Already, 74 complaints were lodged with AL submitting 53 and BNP 21 respectively.
Regional election commission says that they noted all complaints though some were found to be baseless.
AL candidate, Khairuzzaman Liton, won the election in 2008 but lost to BNP candidate in 2013 due to inactive role of party workers.
Reportedly, he carried out widespread reforms and development as mayor.
To come back as mayor, Liton’s electoral pledge is: “we will change Rajshahi once more.”
Meanwhile, current mayor under BNP banner, Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, carried out his pre-election campaign, promising to develop a clean city by completing his projects.
He also called for the release of BNP chairperson, Khaleda Zia.
Slating the administration for being biased, Bulbul said: “the election commission, law enforcement agencies have treated us with prejudice; but even then, we hope to win.”
He also warned that if there’s vote rigging in Rajshahi, the people will take a defiant stand.
“I could not fulfil my electoral pledges as I was in jail for two and a half years.” deplored Bulbul.
On the other hand, AL candidate, Khairuzzaman Liton, said: “due to Bulbul’s failure, Rajshahi has lagged behind in development; the masses want positive change and I will be the catalyst for much needed reforms.”
Liton has promised to develop a mega city, provide jobs for the unemployed and increase residential gas lines.
Other mayoral candidates for RCC polls are: Gonosonghoti candidate, Murad Morshed, Islami Andolon’s Shafiqul islam and Jatiya Party’s Habibur Rahman.