DNCC, DSCC Polls/Discussion focuses Milton-Tabith in North, Salam-Ishraque in South in BNP

The schedule of Dhaka’s two city corporations- Dhaka North and Dhaka South city corporation yet to be announced. But the aspirant candidates are trying utmost in different ways to ensure their candidacy in the ruling party BNP.

Among those, Shafiqul Islam Khan Miltan and Tabith Awal are trying to secure the party nomination as the DNCC mayoral post while Abdus Salam, Ishraque Hossain and Habib Unnabi Khan Sohel are trying for the same post at DSCC. Besides, Afroza Abbas also are in the list.

While, the BNP leaders are trying to get party nomination as mayor candidates, the opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami and others stress on quick schedule of the ensuing elections.

Jamaat and the NCP has given green signals to their probable candidates in the meantime. In such, discussions, are elaborating over the candidacy of the BNP in the two city corporations in the capital.

Aspirants waiting for schedule

The government has appointed two administrators in the two city corporations of Dhaka. But, several leaders were active in the field from early days. They have continuing contacts with senior leaders of the party.

The opposition parties including Jamaat demanded quick schedule of city corporations’ polls. The government sources said two Dhaka city corporations and Chittagong city corporations polls may conduct first.

Replying to a query over when the party nomination might be announced, BNP Standing Committee Member Begum Selima Rahman told Asia Post, “Party Chairman Tarique Rahman will finalise mayoral candidates. Several aspirants in a party is normal. Party is scrutinizing the activities and popularity of the aspirants. The party will announce candidacy after declaring the polls schedule.”

What BNP Mulls

It has been found after talking with the BNP senior leaders, that the party will consider aspirants acceptances among the general voters and the popularity and interactions with the party grassroot level manpower.

As per the high command, it is not only the fighting of mayor posts, but it is also a matter of showing party power in the major cities as well the capital city.

When contacted, BNP Acting Secretary General and the Prime Minister’s political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told Asia Post, “The party will scrutinize the aspirants popularity, connectivity with the party leaders and workers. It also consider the aspirant leaders organisaitonal skills and capabilities of contesting the opposition candidates.”

The party will give priority to the fittest candidates, he said.

Tabith and Milton in DNCC

Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, the person in charge of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and a leader from Jubo Dal is being talked about. He is the vice-president of Jubo Dal. Earlier he worked as acting secretary of the group and as a member secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo Dal. He was the BNP candidate for the Dhaka-15 seat in the parliamentary election but did not win. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recently said things about Miltons work during a visit to check footpaths.

Tabith Awal got the BNP nomination for the DNCC by-election and is also being talked about as a possible candidate this time.

Abdus Salam, Ishraque, Sohel and Afroza are in DSCC race

Many names are being talked about as candidates for the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) election. The often mentioned names are Abdus Salam, Ishraque Hossain, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and Afroza Abbas.

BNP Chairmans adviser Abdus Salam is currently the head of DSCC. He was earlier the head of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP. He was also the person in charge of the election for Tarique Rahman in the 13th parliamentary election. He has already said he wants to run in the city corporation election. However there are stories that some of his actions as head have made some people in the party unhappy.

Ishraque Hossain is back in the news after leaving his job as state minister for liberation war affairs. He was the BNPs candidate in the last city corporation election. His father, Sadeque Hossain Khoka was mayor of the Dhaka City Corporation. Ishraque is being considered again with his family background and popularity in the area seen as benefits.

Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel is a joint secretary general of BNP and a former president of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP. He has legal cases against him. Party workers are also interested in his candidacy thinking of him as a leader. However Sohel believes the partys decision will finally decide who gets the nomination.

Afroza Abbas, the wife of BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas is the head of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal. Her name is also being talked about as a candidate.

A BNP Standing Committee member and a vice-chairman both speaking to Asia Post but asking for their names to be kept secret said Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton and Tabith Awal were being considered as choices in the north while Abdus Salam and Ishraque Hossain were leading in the south because of their previous roles as candidates.

However they warned that if the party focuses much on family connections instead of getting people involved it could make some people in the party feel frustrated.

Jamaat and NCP are also preparing for the city corporation elections, which might mean a three-way contest.

In this situation candidates are not just relying on the supporters of their parties. They are trying strategies to get people first-time voters and people who are not involved in politics.

Talking to BNP leaders at levels it has become clear that the way things work in parliamentary elections and city corporation elections is completely different. The strength of the party at the ward level how much people like a candidate, local issues and how a candidate looks to the public will be very important, in deciding the result.