Liakut, Rajshahi Bureau: Election was held on 30 July 2018 in Rajshahi City Corporation. In this election, the incumbent councilor Touhidul Haque Sumon was elected by a huge margin after defeating the incumbent councilor of BNP as the Awami League-backed candidate from Ward No. 19. He took charge on 11 October.

Councilor Sumon said development plans have been made to move the neglected ward forward since he took office. Because every road in this ward was broken and impassable. As well as the drainage system was extremely shy. People could not get out of their houses due to waterlogging if it rained a little.

He took this development plan with the help of the civil society and the people of this ward to remove this situation. As a result, construction of 103 roads and drains has already been completed. He also broke the record by giving old age allowance to 6 people and disability allowance to 203 people.

He added that development work worth Tk 16 crore is underway. Another Tk 10 crore development tender is going to be held soon. He said his mother had died in the ongoing epidemic in Corona. His only 20-month-old son was also infected with corona. Now he is healthy with the blessings of all. He said Corona has been providing free corona tests, medicine, food and oxygen to patients since March 2020 without thinking about his own life.

The councilor added that relief has been provided to 4,900 people through the government and 5,458 people with the help of private and local wealthy people. In addition, 2,298 people in his ward have received Tk. 2,500 each from the Prime Minister`s Relief Fund. Thinking of the poor people, 700 people were given special and MS cards, 298 people of Railway Slum, Chandrima Slum and Masjid Slum were given one time cash of Tk.15,000 as slum dwellers.

Sumon further said that BRAC, a non-governmental development organization, has come forward with satisfaction in its activities and seeing the trend of ward development and serving the people. As a result, BRAC`s initiative has provided 1500 rupees out of 600 helpless women. He said that energy bulbs have been provided instead of glass lights in every electricity pole to keep the ward enlightened, free from theft and looting and to ensure smooth movement of people.

Roads and drains are also being cleaned regularly to keep the ward clean and free from waterlogging. He said that all the grants received through public-private and private initiatives have been distributed fairly and development work has been done honestly. There are also ongoing activities.

Sumon said, those who work are the ones who make mistakes. He begged forgiveness for all these mistakes. His term is till October 2023. In the meantime, he will develop all the roads and drains.

"I would never have been a councilor without you," he said. He expressed his gratitude to the people of the ward for this and thanked everyone. He urged the people not to be distracted by anyone`s words thinking of development in the next elections.