Tension mounts over CCC panel mayor race

Tension is mounting among the councillors of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) over the elections to panel mayors, scheduled to be held tomorrow.

This time around, many councillors are showing interest in becoming panel mayors, according to sources. They are mostly divided into two groups -- councillors who are known as followers of late CCC mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury and those who are followers of former CCC mayor AJM Nasir Uddin.

As per rules, two councillors from general seats and a female councillor from reserved seats would be elected panel mayors by the votes of 55 councillors. Panel mayors are usually elected between the first and third general meetings of the council.

Meanwhile, city corporation sources said the new mayor, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, has no direct involvement in this election, whereas the previous mayors used to be directly or indirectly involved with the panel mayor elections.

The correspondent talked to a number of CCC councillors who, wishing anonymity, admitted the polarisation.

"In the last polls in 2015, the mayor played a vital role in the panel mayor elections…All the three elected panel mayors were his followers," said a councillor. "But the situation has changed this time, as the number of elected councillors who are followers of Mohiuddin Chowdhury is more than that of the previous mayor."

Asked how many followers of Mohiuddin have been elected councillors this time, he said the number is not less than 35.

Meanwhile, councillor (Ward-20/Dewan Bazar) Chowdhury Hasan Mahmud Hasni said he would vie for the panel mayor post. "I had been elected panel mayor twice…I think councillors would consider that and vote for me," he said.

He, however, said there was no such issue of polarisation amid the councillors. Hasni is known to be a follower of AJM Nasir Uddin.

"There is no rivalry among us over the issue [of election]. Any councillor can declare their candidacy," he said. "It's not important who is a follower of whom… we are public representatives…The eligible candidates will be elected, I think," he added.

Contacted, councillor (Ward-32/Anderkilla) Jahar Lal Hazari said, "I'm an experienced councillor, and I think I am eligible for the panel mayor post." Known as a follower of Mohiuddin, Hazari also said there's no rivalry over the panel mayor elections.

Asked what is the role of a panel mayor, AF Kabir Ahmed Manik, a former councillor, said panel mayors do not have any executive or financial power.

"If the mayor goes abroad, he may entrust a panel mayor to look after the routine works of the city corporation. But the panel mayors do not have any decision-making power," said Manik.

When asked -- then what could be the reason behind this so called polarisation or rivalry, Manik said the post of panel mayor could be vital when the mayor falls in trouble.

For example, if the mayor is arrested and sent to jail, the government then can appoint a panel mayor to continue the duty of the mayor. "Otherwise, they do not have any power, and at best, they can introduce themselves as a panel mayor to people," he said.