‘PM is my guardian, I am happy with her decision’

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon, who failed to secure the nomination for the next mayoral race from Awami League, today said he has accepted the party’s decision on keeping him aside from the polls.

“I accept the decision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina happily, as she is my guardian,” Khokon expressed his consent while talking to journalists at Nagar Bhaban this noon.

Responding to a query whether he would assist the mayoral runner in the DSCC, Khokon said he would take a decision in this regard after discussing with Sheikh Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League and the party’s senior leaders in Old Dhaka.

“I will have to see whether there is any legal bar in taking part in the election campaign as I am still a mayor with full status of a minister,” he said.

When asked about his half-done works, the mayor said his tenure is set to be completed on May 17, 2020.

“I have undertaken some works like ‘Jol-Shobujer Dhaka Project’ (modernising parks and playgrounds).  I hope the project will be completed by the next two months. I will be able to complete other projects by this timeframe,” he said.

There are some other big projects like setting up community centres and other development works which will be completed by the tenure of the next mayor, he said.

“I hope the new mayor would complete the tasks which I couldn’t do and I will extend my all out supports to the new mayor from my experiences,” Khokon said.

“I am a human being and I can make mistakes during my work. I would help the new mayor in correcting my mistakes,” Khokon added.

When collecting nomination papers on Thursday, Khokon in an emotion-choked voice sought blessings from people and said he is passing through a very hard time in his political career.

He also requested the city dwellers to stand beside him so that he can fulfill his unfinished works as a mayor.

On Sunday, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced the names of DNCC incumbent Mayor M Atiqul Islam and Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, MP as candidates to contest to DNCC and DSCC polls respectively.