Mohiuddin Chowdhury becomes more active in politics; he is likely to meet Hasina before July 9

By AKM Moinuddin

Chittagong, Jul 2 (UNB) - After the recent electoral debacle, former
mayor and Chittagong city Awami League president ABM Mohiuddin
Chowdhury has apparently become more active in politics, devoting his
time in reorganizing party leaders and activists to face future
political challenges.
Mohiuddin Chowdhury, a three-time elected mayor of the port city,
does not want to waste time by meditating over the past and on what
happened in the last mayoral elections but wishes to continue his
task for the economic development of the port city.
The AL leader, who has been credited with many successful movements
and development works in Chittagong over the last 17 years, still
believes that Chittagong seaport is the key to country’s development.
And this is the area where he wants to lend “peaceful support” in
implementing government’s plan.
“I believe country’s overall development depends on Chittagong and at
the same time Chittagong’s development large depends on its seaport.
So, we must specially think of its (port) modernization,
infrastructure development, boosting efficiency to make it globally
competitive,” Mohiuddin said in an interview with UNB Correspondent
AKM Moinuddin at his Chashma Hill residence on Thursday.
The former mayor believes Bangladesh will turn into a business hub
with enormous potential for trade and commerce if the deep seaport
project is implemented and transit facilities to neighboring
countries are ensured.
“Chittagong can be a modern city like Singapore and tourism sector
will flourish here (Chittagong) if port’s development is ensured,” he
said.
When asked about the future leadership of Chittagong city unit Awami
League, Mohiuddin said: “I’m not a big leader. My leader is Sheikh
Hasina. I can’t say or do anything disregarding her directives.”
A faction of city unit AL is reportedly planning to keep Mohiuddin
out of party leadership in Chittagong and the rivals are taking
preparation to discuss it with party high-ups so that a new committee
can be formed without Mohiuddin. Asked about his reaction, Mohiuddin
said: “It’s up to them.”
Replying to a question, the AL leader said he did not talk to party
president Sheikh Hasina after the CCC election debacle.
“I am planning to meet her (Hasina) within next few days, hopefully
before July 9,” said Mohiuddin who will fly for Saudi Arabia on July
9 to perform umrah.
Mohiuddin declined to comment on the reasons of his unexpected defeat
in the recently held mayoral elections. He merely said: “People know
what I did for the development of Chittagong. Ask them and compare
present Chittagong with what it was previously (17 years ago).”
He even did not want to talk about new mayor M Manzur Alam Manzu.
Replying to a question, Mohiuddin, also a freedom fighter, said the
recent arrest of Jamaat trio was a right decision. The
anti-liberation forces will not dare to revive their destructive
activities if the trial of war criminals is held.
“I’ve been on streets against the war criminals; I’ll always remain
vocal against them,” he said.
Asked about his role in facing the anti-government movement launched
by the opposition, Mohiuddin said he would remain vocal against any
anti-state movement.

END/UNB/