The people are frustrated, searching for change: Tabith
Tabith Awal is the BNP-nominated candidate for the 1 February Dhaka North city corporation polls. In a recent interview with Prothom Alo, he spoke about the election and his plans concerning the city.
Prothom Alo: You contested against the Dhaka North City Corporation mayor Annisul Huq in the last election and now you are contesting again. How different is the city corporation election this time as compared to that election?
Tabith Awal: By any yardstick, things have certainly taken a downward turn as compared to the last election. Whether it is about campaigning, candidates, the environment or law and order, nothing meets my expectations. I came under attack this time. That did not happen in the last election. There were several candidates then. Standing against the ruling party candidates, other than myself there were candidates like Mahi, Saki, and Ratan. There were a lot of issue-based discussions and debates about various aspects of Dhaka city. At least until the election there was a competitive environment. That is not there this time.
Prothom Alo: Why do you think this is so?
Tabith Awal: You all are aware of what happened in the 2015 election. The experience of the public during that election and other elections that followed, says that the entire election process has been damaged. The people simply lost their confidence and their interest in the election.
Prothom Alo: After your 2015 experience, what expectations do you have in contesting this time?
Tabith Awal: I feel I have the chance to exert my responsibility. I have the power to bring about change. I am contesting in the election to become the mayor. My party believes I have the competence. My nomination and participation in the last election created a path for change. It has created space for youth to come forward to positions of leadership. In Dhaka South City Corporation too, the young candidate Ishraque Hossain has been nominated. You will note that the average age of the commissioner candidates nominated by BNP this time has decreased. That means my participation has brought about a change within the party. The manner in which I have used social media in my campaign has set a benchmark in campaigning. If I can use my education and my creativity as a positive contribution, that itself is an achievement.
Prothom Alo: You are the candidate of the political opposition, but there is a general sense that only a candidate of the ruling party can ensure development and services. It has been noted that the government does not cooperate with mayors of the opposition camp. In such circumstances, what do you have to offer the people?
Tabith Awal: The same government has been in power for 11 consecutive years. In this span of time, Dhaka has seen a backslide. The city has lost its liveability. It is gripped with every sort of pollution. It is clear that the ruling party people cannot break away from partisan interests and from the powerful syndicates that have grown over the years. Change is required to usher in something new, something good. A candidate needs the votes of the majority to be elected mayor. The voters and the public support mean something. And so the government or any quarter cannot really do much by not extending their support. In Sylhet and Cumilla, opposition party mayors are running the cities. The mayor in Sylhet has implemented quite a few good initiatives and these have been praised.
Prothom Alo: What sort of election do you expect this time?
Tabith Awal: Voter turnout at the recent by-elections in two seats of Chattogram and Rangpur was dismal. The ruling party does not want the voters to turn up and cast their votes. That is their strategy. If the voters turn up at the polling centres on the day of the polls, then one can expect a credible election. So we want the voters to come to the polling centres and cast their votes.
Prothom Alo: What are you doing to encourage voters to come and cast their votes?
Tabith Awal: I have been campaigning on foot and meeting the people. It is clear that the people want to cast their votes. I have been trying to encourage the people to come to the voting centres on election day and cast their votes. I have said, even if you don’t vote for me, go to the voting centres. And of course I am asking them to vote in my favour.
Prothom Alo: As part of your mayoral election campaign, you have also been calling for the release of your party chairperson Khaleda Zia. Is this a part of your election strategy?
Tabith Awal: The people of Bangladesh do not have the freedom to speak out. They do not have the freedom to vote. Whether it is the national, local government or city corporation elections or the elections of the bus and truck owners and workers associations or other such bodies, the election culture has been destroyed. The people are frustrated at this inability to exercise their voting rights. They are looking for change. If they can cast their votes freely, this election will be an opportunity for the people. We are seeking votes and at the same time are considering Khaleda Zia’s release to be a mandate of the people. If the people elect the BNP candidate in this election, this will be considered as a public mandate for the release of leader Khaleda Zia.
Prothom Alo: Dhaka city is gripped with problems. If you are elected, where will you begin? Have you any particular plans and priorities?
Tabith Awal: I do not want to prioritise any problem separately. Dhaka has become an inert city. It is not liveable. I feel that many issues must be brought together for the sake of city management. Mosquitoes, water logging, garbage and recycling are all linked. If you focus on garbage disposal and do this properly, many other issues will be taken care of too. The people of the city are assailed by air, noise and water pollution. There are so many factors which call for attention – safety for women and children, disorder in public transport, parking problems, traffic congestion and so on.
Prothom Alo: While Dhaka city corporations are in charge of the city’s management, there are other agencies involved too. Many blame the lack of coordination among all these agencies as the main cause of the present plight of Dhaka city. How will you tackle this if elected?
Tabith Awal: There is something known as social power. If a mayor is elected through a fair election, he earns that power. This is the power of the people, of their mandate. The city corporation’s permission is required if any road is to be dug up in the city. It can simply refuse to give permission if the various organisations want to dig up the roads at various times for various purposes. The organisations can be given a specific time to carry out their specific works together. The city corporation must bear the blame if it fails to take such a strict stance. If the various agencies fail to carry out their respective duties, they must be held accountable. The right to information act can be used to determine why they have failed in their duty. This is actually a matter of management. If the manager is competent, this can be done. I feel that I have that competence.
Prothom Alo: If elected, you will have to work with the ward councillors. Have you any plan of how you will work with them?
Tabith Awal: The main way to work with the councillors is to strictly ensure that the rules and regulations are carried out. No one will be spared for any violation of the rules. The councillors are normally unemployed and they take up contractor work. I feel that their responsibilities, authority and status must be increased. They will then be more attentive to the development of their localities. They will work in competition with other wards.
Prothom Alo: Do you have any plans chalked out for management of the city corporation?
Tabith Awal: The city corporation has no separate management as such. It has no workforce of its own in that sense. Persons are appointed on deputation to various posts. They do not have a feeling of responsibility because they do not have a future in the corporation. Once their stint is over, they will go back to their respective positions. It is very important for the city corporation to have its own workforce.
Prothom Alo: Like the previous election, this time too if the election and its results are not acceptable, what will you do?
Tabith Awal: I shall work for the development of the city, utilising the time and labour which I have put into dealing with the problems and various aspects of the city people. I will share my thoughts and ideas. I will work as a shadow mayor. And if there are any irregularities in the election, I will resort to all legal actions possible. I did not do so last time.
Prothom Alo: Thank you.
Tabith Awal: Thank you.
* This interview appeared in the print edition of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ayesha Kabir