Voters of Khulna City Corporation have said they have no faith in election pledges made by candidates and are instead making their case on receiving “long overdue” respect from the politicians.
The Khulna City Corporation election is scheduled for Tuesday. The candidates running for the mayoralty and council seats ended their campaigns Sunday midnight.
The Dhaka Tribune spoke to many locals who shared their priorities - which ranged from political affiliations, candidate image, to respect - in choosing the right mayor for their city.
The aspirants fielded by different parties including Awami League and BNP, have already made numerous promises to the voters in a bid to garner support.
Awami League and BNP leaders and activists from Bagerhat, Rampal, Satkhira, Gopalganj, Narail, Madaripur, and other adjacent areas were seen campaigning for the candidates over the past few days.
The voters were not dazzled by the support coming from the outside, instead focusing on securing respect from the politicians.
Abdul Kuddus, a resident of Goborchora in Khulna city, said he the last time he voted, the candidates had pledged to develop his area. But when the elections were over, so were his pledges.
Momtaz Begum, a resident of Gollamari, Rampal, said: “Talukder Khaleque has done much for for Rampal, but the main issue is how the common people are treated and recognized.”
Tazzamul Hossain from Narail said: “In the past, freedom fighters were disrespected in Khulna, and so were the common people. This time, we are emphasizing self-respect and dignity over city development.”
BNP Khulna district President Shafiqul Islam Mona, who is also the BNP candidate’s chief campaign agent, said: “It is not possible to further develop Khulna city without respecting the citizens. We are going to work with the people to reach that goal.”
Awami League leader SM Kamal Hossain, central coordinator of the party candidates’s election committee, said: “The people get the respect and recognition they deserve. We will make the city habitable for everyone and ensure peace and security.”
Awami League mayoral candidate Talukder Abdul Khakeque said: “People in Khulna city are deprived of their basic rights. My main goal is to work for them and ensure the respect they deserve.”
