Outgoing Chittagong Mayor and the BNP supported candidate M Manjur Alam and his major rival, and Awami League supported candidate AJM Nasir Uddin went head-to-head in a rally of blames, akin to a high level tennis match, as they sped-up their campaigns for the impending city corporation elections.
Nasir labeled Manjur “a failed Mayor” unable to mitigate the major municipal challenges of Chittagong: “Though the government provided enough funds, Manjur failed to resolve the water logging problem in the city which causes immense sufferings to the city dwellers during monsoon.”
He also blamed Manjur for banning electric rickshaws across Chittagong, and for failing to manage the garbage disposal of the city.
Manjur volleyd back, blaming his major rival and other Awami League leaders for spreading “propaganda” against him even though he put his best foot forward as mayor given the inadequate resources he was allowed at his disposal. Manjur said electric rickshaws were declared illegal by the high court, the Chittagong Metropolitan Police only implemented the court order. Hence, he had nothing to do with the vehicles being taken off the streets.
Both candidates begged for votes, promising to take care of the city’s major problems when elected to the position.