With Gazipur all set for its city corporation election tomorrow and campaigning officially ending at midnight last night, The Daily Star's Mohammad Al-Masum Molla spoke to the two major candidates yesterday about their plans, aspirations and expectations. 

‘People want change' ... Hasan Uddin Sarkar

BNP-backed mayoral hopeful Hasan Uddin Sarker wants to take renowned citizens and professionals on board to run the Gazipur City Corporation well.

“I will form an advisory council consisting of eminent citizens and various professionals irrespective of their political affiliation. I will work in consultation with councillors and the advisory council,” he told The Daily Star while explaining his plan to run the city corporation.

In the interview, he set out his priorities and promises to win voters' confidence.

“My first visible task will be to widen the roads and improve the drainage system,” Hasan said, adding that he will disclose his income and expenditure of the city corporation before the public in every three months.

The former lawmaker said people are frustrated and aggrieved with the government.

Not only people from the opposition, but the common people are also being harassed, he said.

“People want change,” he said.

Hasan said the industrialisation process in Gazipur started with his efforts, and he has been with the people of this city for the last 50 years.

Asked why people should vote to choose BNP candidate after the failure of the incumbent mayor from his party, he said, “How could the mayor work when he was behind the bar for 28 months? At least 35 cases were filed against him. He was suspended twice.”

He further alleged that the government did not allocate sufficient money for carrying out development works.

“The acting mayor was from Awami League. What did he do? Even Jahangir Alam [AL-backed candidate] was the vice chairman of Gazipur upazila. What did he do in last five years? Can he give any example of a single development work?”

About campaigning, the mayoral aspirant said voters only want a free and fair election. Now it is the responsibility of the government, Election Commission and local administration to ensure that.

Hasan is confident about his victory. “If voters can cast their votes and my polling agents can stay inside the polling centres, victory is confirmed. But the way the police and local administration are working, I am concerned about the voting day atmosphere,” he said.

He called upon the voters to go to polling stations without any fear. “If there is any irregularity, resist it on the spot,” Hasan said.

‘Want to build a liveable city'... Jahangir Alam 

Ruling Awami League mayoral candidate Jahangir Alam wants to prepare a master plan for Gazipur city to give the city a complete facelift, making it green, clean and beautiful.

Widening the highway and easing traffic jam in the area would be another major priority if he comes out victorious in the high-voltage June 26 elections to Gazipur City Corporation polls.

“I want to work with all. I want to build a liveable city where people will be happy. The city is no longer a liveable one. We are compelled to live here,” Jahangir said in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star yesterday.

In the last 40 years, he said, all the leaders -- both from Awami League and BNP -- failed to show development activities. Even those who were in office failed live up to the expectations of the citizens of the city.

“I want to take responsibility of the city dwellers. I am young and I have energy. I have vision,” Jahangir said.

Besides, the people of Gazipur city also want to work and want young leadership. “Their enthusiasm inspires me to do better work,” he said.

Jahangir believes that he got the party ticket as the previous mayors and the incumbent one failed to make a difference.

“What did the incumbent mayor, MA Mannan, do in last five years? Yes, he was in jail, he was suspended, but in the last one year he was in office. What did he do?”

He also said he will not take liability for the failures of the acting mayor, as an acting mayor cannot pass any project.

The mayoral candidate said he is happy with the law and order situation and voting atmosphere, and that he is confident about his win.

“I am 100 percent confident about my victory. Everything is fine. The BNP mayoral candidate is making false and baseless allegations 'to fish in troubled waters'. But people of Gazipur will foil all evil attempts,” he said.

About the response from the people, the mayoral candidate said the response has been huge.

“Vote for me, vote for boat [Awami League's party symbol], for development and for a change -- this is my last message to the voters,” Jahangir said.