With still a little over three weeks in hand, mayoral candidates for Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) are passing busy time in electioneering.
Though a total of six candidates are in the fray, it is likely that the main contest will take place between Awami League-backed Nagorik Committee’s nominee AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and BNP-backed Sammilito Nagorik Forum’s candidate Mosaddeque Hossain Bulbul.
Liton just resigned as RCC mayor last week to seek reelection.
Both Bulbul and Liton have already started their election campaigns, detailing their agenda for Rajshahi citizens.
Liton is explaining to the voters what development works he conducted during his tenure.
On the other hand, Bulbul is finding faults with Liton’s role as city mayor and pledging a lot to mould Rajshahi city into a modern metropolis.
Nagorik Committee candidate and former mayor Liton, flanked by leaders and activists of 14-party alliance, is campaigning daily in various wards of the city.
At the same time, Bulbul, having no previous experience even as a ward councillor, is visiting various wards aided by former BNP backed mayor M. Mijanur Rahmnan Minu.
Though another BNP-backed candidate Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon is still in the race, he was not campaigning for himself.
He was seen seeking vote for Bulbul, leaving a broad hint that he might withdraw his nomination.
The last day for withdrawal of candidature is May 26.
The mayor hopefuls include Dr. Muhammad Zahangir, a Jamaat-e-Islami leader who filed nomination from jail. He has a solid vote bank of party loyals.
A source in BNP said Jahangir is being repeatedly requested from the party high-ups to withdraw in favour of BNP candidate since Jamaat is a partner in the BNP-led alliance.
Local BNP leadership is trying to approach the Jamaat leaders for a meeting over the issue. So far no response was available from Jamaat.
A Jamaat-e-Islami, Rajshahi city unit source said during the last mayoral election, Jamaat acted for BNP candidate M. Mijanur Rahman Minu under certain conditions and Minu got elected with full support from Jamaat.
But in return, Jamaat received the cold shoulder from Minu, who forgot all the pre-election pledges made to Jamaat, the Jamaat source pointed out.
It is learnt, Jamaat, as a pre-condition for withdrawing candidature of Jahangir, was demanding at least two seats among six constituencies in the region during the next parliamentary elections.
Two independent candidates- Mir Mozammel Ali and Habibur Rahman – are yet to begin electioneering.
