BNP's victory in four city corporation elections

The Dhaka Times Desk Finally ending all the speculations the four city corporation elections have been completed. In this election, the voters voted in favor of the BNP party candidates. In Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna and Barisal four mayoral candidates supported by BNP and 18 party alliance have won by huge margin of votes.

Following the continuation of Chittagong and Comilla City Corporation, these four CTO government parties lost their hands in the run-up to the national elections. Meanwhile, the victory of all the mayors and the majority of the commissioners has led to jubilation among the leaders and activists of the 18-party alliance across the country. Joy processions and distribution of sweets were going on last night at different places.

Opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia exchanged greetings with the BNP-backed candidates who won the four city corporation elections. Meanwhile, he congratulated the party's candidates for their clear victory.

Rajshahi

In the Rajshahi City Corporation election, the mayoral candidate Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul (pineapple symbol) supported by 18 parties won 1 lakh 31 58 votes in all the 137 centers. His nearest rival former mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton (lock symbol) supported by 14 parties got 83 thousand 726 votes. The margin of votes between them is 47 thousand 332.

BNP supported mayor Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul said that he will work together with the former mayors to implement the election promises. He said this to the media in an official response after his private victory on Saturday night. Bulbul said, I promised that I can implement the promises I made in the election. I will work on how to develop Rajshahi with those who were mayors earlier. I will work for youth society.

Sylhet

Ariful Haque Chowdhury (Television symbol) won by getting 1 lakh 7 thousand 330 votes in all 128 polling stations in Sylhet City Corporation election. His nearest rival Awami League supported and former two-time mayor Badruddin Ahmad Kamran (pineapple symbol) got 72 thousand 173 votes. Arif defeated Kamran by a margin of 35 thousand 157 votes.

Meanwhile, Badruddin Ahmad Kamran congratulated the winner Ariful Haque Chowdhury after the announcement of the final result. Former Mayor Badr Uddin Ahmad Kamran congratulated the results after the counting of votes on Saturday night through reporters at his residence. Kamran said, people of Sylhet have elected me many times before. This time they have changed their view and decided a new candidate. I wish and congratulate the newly elected candidate.

Ariful Haque Chowdhury thanked the people of Sylhet after the victory. He expressed his gratitude to the people of Sylhet from a house in Zindabazar around 9:30 pm. Ever since the results came in his favour, the eager crowd tried to rally him. But he did not participate in any procession as there was no provision to hold any kind of rally after the results were announced.

Khulna

BNP leader Moniruzzaman Moni (pineapple symbol) won 1 lakh 81 thousand 265 votes in all the 288 centers in the Khulna City Corporation election. His nearest rival Awami League-backed newly divorced Mayor Talukder Abdul Khalek (lock symbol) got 1 lakh 20 thousand 58 votes. Their vote gap is 61 thousand 207.

Maniruzzaman Moni, the recently won BNP mayoral candidate in Khulna, commented that the people have made a silent revolution through the city corporation vote. In an immediate response on Saturday night, he said, "I will respect the verdict given by the people." I will work with everyone for the development of Khulna city. He further said that the government wanted to take the result in their favour. But it was not possible because BNP activists and common people were aware.

Barisal

In Barisal City Corporation election, 18 parties were supported in the results of all 100 centers. Ahsan Habib Kamal (pineapple symbol) won by getting 83 thousand 751 votes. His nearest rival Awami League supported newly ex-mayor Shaukat Hossain Hiron (television icon) got 66 thousand 741 votes. Their vote gap is 17 thousand 10 votes.

Ahsan Habib Kamal has termed his victory as 'political' in the Barisal City Corporation elections. He made this comment to the media after announcing the results of all polling stations in the election. He said, it is a local election. BNP has more influence in this city. However, the overall situation of the country is not beyond this election. I won because of political reasons.

When asked whether he would seek any kind of support from Hiron as the city father, the district BNP president said, "There is no question." Is he a doctor or an engineer who should ask him for help, Kamal commented that if the polls were fair, he would have won more votes. He said, as mayor, he will first look at the city's water drainage system by making a master plan.

It is to be noted that the polling was completed in four cities from 8 am to 4 pm without a break yesterday with great enthusiasm and excitement. It is said that BNP party candidates have won most of the councilor posts in the four cities. Apart from some isolated disturbances, the overall election was conducted in a fair, free, impartial and peaceful manner. A general holiday was declared yesterday in four city constituencies for voting.