"I love Chittagong from the core of my heart. I devote my life to it. I always spoke loud in the past and will do so in future for the interest of the city," Mohiuddin Chowdhury, the opposition Awami League-backed Nagorik Committee candidate for mayor, said this at different election rallies.

He said the city dwellers have seen revolutionary developments in the fields of education, health, communications and environment and all these were done without imposing any tax on them during my two tenures. "Considering my contribution and activities, I believe, the Chittagong people will give me another chance and support me in the upcoming election."

Mohiuddin said that a conspiracy was on to rig the election, printing 20 per cent more ballot papers than the required figure. He, however, warned the government of any manipulation or attempt of rigging, saying "the consequences for such an ill move will be severe and grave."

"I know how to resist election rigging. I'm ready to foil any such conspiracy. Gone are the days to snatch votes by applying force," he said.

He said "I've turned the CCC over the years into a self-reliant public welfare organisation and I've earned trust of all." "Moreover, I wasn't engaged in any sort of corruption and didn't squander corporation money," he said.

He said, "Even ruling BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya Party supporters voted for me because I could prove that I'm not a partisan mayor but a mayor of all who lives in Chittagong."

Mohiuddin Chowdhury said if elected he will construct a hanging bridge on the river Karnaphuli, a crying demand of Chittagong people, and implement the commitments he made in his 40-point election manifesto.

Implementation of any project is possible if there was honesty, sincerity and courage, he said.

"Implementation of the 40-point might be difficult in five-year tenure for a government but, if elected, I will make it possible using the resources of Chittagong with the cooperation of all," he said. "I'm not alone in my development activities and I love to work together for the sake of Chittagong," he added. "I know how to do it."

Regarding the hanging bridge on the Karnaphuli, Mohiuddin Chowdhury said the total expenditure will be realised through distribution of shares. Twenty-five percent of the shares will be distributed among the industrialists and businessmen while the rest will be given to donor agencies (on Build, Operate and Transfer basis) through tender, he said.

Mohiuddin Chowdhury alleged non-cooperation from the government in the past. "If the government comes forward positively, I think, it will not be a problem to end the power and water crises in the city."

On the Chittagong port, he said "I was always vocal for the interest of this port and will remain so in future". He criticised the random privatisation of some services of the port, saying "Privatisation will be okay as long as the government keep its control on the overall operation of the port."