DHAKA: The policymakers of the ruling Awami League are engrossed in reckoning over Dhaka City Corporation election coming quick on the heels of their Chittagong debacle.      

Leaders of different stages and workers of the party confided to the Banglanews24.com.bd staff writer their preoccupation. They are giving importance to a conducive environment and suitable mayoral candidate for a win at the next city polls.

A leader having policymaking background in the party said that power, gas and water crises and traffic jam in Dhaka metropolis came as a cause of serious concern to the residents and the government, as also the party, with the passage of time, is facing criticisms as such.

On condition of anonymity, the leader said after the defeat of a popular leader like Mohiuddin Chowdhury in the Chittagong City Corporation polls, the DCC election has become a great challenge for the ruling party. As such, the party will have to give a serious thought to the matter of choosing the candidate.  

Awami League had enjoyed a sweeping victory in the capital city at the last national polls. The leader considers the DCC election as a big challenge for AL to keep hold on the victory and keep the politics of Dhaka in Awami League’s orbit.
As the DCC polls will have a great impact on national elections, the local-body election in the national metropolis is very vital to the ruling party.

The leader feels that the government has resolved the problems of utility services to some extent, but it will take some more time to get to grips with the situation.

He hoped that these problems could be resolved within few months. Particularly, these crises of utility services will be reduced in the next winter and the party will then think about a convenient time for the DCC elections in November or December.

It is very important who is becoming the candidate.  The policymakers of the party are thinking about a candidate with political farsightedness and individual charisma.  

Insiders of the party said the policymakers were unable to depend on the names of intending candidates being discussed. They said President of the party and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is gathering information about the field and about the candidates.

The names coming up in tandem as possible mayoral hopefuls include former organizing secretary of the party Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, former mayor Hanif’s son Sayeed Khokan, Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Dhaka City AL General Secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, AKM Rahmatullah MP, Barrister Fazle Nur Tapash MP, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University AK Azad Chowdhury, State Minister for Local Government and Rural Development and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, State Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Kamrul Islam, Dr. Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin MP and ex-MP Haji Mohammad Selim.

Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said the leaders and workers of the party are all agog about the polls. “Decision about candidates will be taken in party forum after discussing prose and cons of the possible candidates.”

Intending candidate Sayeed Khokan said preparations for the election are there, but it depends on the party chief, Sheikh Hasina.

AKM Rahmatullah, another hopeful for candidacy for the city father, said he is maintaining contacts with leaders and workers and the people. “The party president had told me to get ready for the election. I will do the election if the party supports me.”  

BDST/ 1420, July 14, 2010