Space For Rent

Space For Rent
Monday, April 20, 2015, Baishakh 7, 1422 BS, Jamadius Sani 29, 1436 Hijr


Campaign slogans puzzle voters
Mahabub Alam
Published : Monday, 20 April, 2015,  Time : 12:00 AM,  View Count : 26
With a host of development commitments as well as trading blame on contenders' for all the ills in the locality mayoral and councillor aspirants are seeking votes from electors ahead of the Dhaka South and North city corporation polls.
The candidates backed by two major political parties-Awami League and BNP-are engaged in a blame game against each other, while the third-party candidates are making hay of the situation by criticising the activities of both.
Not only that, religion is also being capitalised while seeking votes.  
Candidates backed by ruling Awami League (AL) are found to present the logic to the voters that the flow of development by the  incumbent government can massively be forwarded if they were elected. 
Electing those candidates, who are fuelling militants and terrorists, will be counter-productive, they say.
They remind electors once again about the recent political mayhem launched by the 20-party alliance that caused the death of many innocent people with many more burnt in arson attacks.
Sayeed Khokon, a mayoral aspirant supported by AL for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) polls, does not forget to remind people about the contribution of his father, former undivided Dhaka City Mayor Mohammad Hanif, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's deep faith on him.
Supporters of Annisul Huq, beg votes for him, saying he is a man of 'clean image' and faithful to the Prime Minister.
The supporters of Annisul, during campaign, hammer on the belief that Annisul will be able to develop the business sector as he was a former president of FBCCI.   
During electioneering, candidates blessed by BNP or their supporters, mostly women, beg ballots for their candidates assuring relief from the oppression of the present government and restoration of democracy in the country.
They also describe arrests, disappearance, killings, abductions, tortures, and worsening law and order situation, extortion and tender manipulation as the hall marks of the ruling party men. 
Candidates of Jatiya Party (JP) are canvassing in their respective areas and seeking votes, saying it is time to come out from the evil circle of the Awami League and BNP.
They say you (voters) should not cast ballots for those, who are responsible for abductions and cross fire or petrol bomb attacks. 
Aspirants supported by the Islami Andalon Bangladesh (Party of Pir Shaheb Charmonai) are trying to make people understand that they should cast votes taking spiritual life into consideration.
They argue that the voters will have to share sins that will be committed by candidates for the next five years if they cast votes for them.
"Cast ballots on our poll symbols. You can tell the Almighty Allah that you (voters) have responded to His call for electing those who are for Islamic rules," they say.
Former AL MP and now an independent mayoral candidate of DSCC with 'ring' symbol Golam Mawla Roni said he seeks votes, saying that he is a man who knows how to work, overcome, tackle and win.
"I am a man capable of solving all problems, taking action against corrupts and tackling any adversity," he told the Daily Observer and added he presents such arguments before voters in his canvassing.
Mayoral aspirant Akteruzzaman alias Ayatullah with his 'gourd' symbol in DSCC seeks votes by promising to solve the problems suffered by bachelors.
During his campaigning, he is heard to say that he is the president of Bangladesh Mess Committee and he can understand the problems of the bachelors. If he is elected, he will solve these.
Ganasanghathi Andalan mayoral candidate Junaid Saki is seen to seek votes, saying that 'change is possible and we want a change.'
Independent mayoral candidate of DSCC Baharine Sultan Bahar is found to say that he is the president of Bangladesh Tenants Society.  "There are about 17 lakh votes of tenants in his electoral area.  He says to voters to cast ballots for him because he will not give house owners to hike house rent at will."
Bangladesh's Samajtantrik Dal mayoral candidates of DSCC and DNCC Bazlur Rashid Firoj and Abdullah Al Kafi are found to say, do not vote for those responsible for cross fire and petrol bomb attacks. We want a liveable Dhaka for all.
Dilip Bhadra, independent mayoral candidate, is seen to seek votes, saying their stance is against partisan attitude.
Sahin Khan with 'ship' symbol of DSCC is found to say, "Please give a chance for young generation, at least one chance."









Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka. Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000. Phone :9586651-58. Fax: 9586659-60, Advertisemnet: 9513663, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected].