Five mayoral candidates of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) yesterday vowed to take initiatives to make the city free from corruption so that people could avail civic amenities without any hassle.

They also pledged to follow the electoral code and not to patronise criminals to influence the electoral process. At the same time, they said they would accept the election results no matter what the outcome is.

The mayoral aspirants made the commitments at a face-to-face dialogue with city dwellers at a hotel in Khulna yesterday. Private television channel News24 organised the event.

Awami League candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque, BNP's Nazrul Islam Monju, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Md Mozammel, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) candidate Mizanur Rahman Babu and Jatiya Party's Shafiqul Islam attended the dialogue.

The five mayoral aspirants came in consensus to solve the city's waterlogging issue, recover the 22 grabbed canals and develop the drainage system. They also said if elected, they will try to eradicate illegal drugs.

AL's Khaleque said the present government has completed many development works in Khulna including building a hospital, stadiums and a playground.

Khaleque also said he will complete the development works he could not finish during his tenure in 2008-2013.

He said he had implemented over 12 development projects worth Tk 433.14 crore while the immediate past mayor of BNP did only a few during his tenure.

BNP's Nazrul Islam Monju, however, requested the AL candidate not to exploit and misguide voters by giving false promises. He said he would take initiatives for constructing a modern city, safeguarding its natural beauty.

He also promised to work for making the municipality a clean and corruption-free one.

Islami Andolon's Mozammel said if elected mayor, he would form a committee comprising the underprivileged and the minority to work for the betterment of children, elderly and the deprived.

CPB's Mizanur promised that he will hold meetings with the city dwellers on a monthly basis and work according to their suggestions. “I will try to reopen the closed industries,” he said.

JP's Shafiqul Islam said he would open the cinema halls that have already been closed.