AL's Khulna mayor candidate Khaleque's assets rise by Tk1.83cr in 5 yrs
The assets of the Awami League mayoral candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque in the Khulna City Corporation elections have increased to Tk6.83 crore, a rise of Tk1.83 crore, in the last five years, according to affidavits submitted to the election office in 2018 and 2023.
According to polls affidavit, Khaleque has movable assets worth more than Tk4.79 crore in cash, more than Tk1.18 crore in bank deposits, Tk10 lakh saving certificates, postal FDR worth Tk18 lakh, two vehicles worth Tk58.80 lakh, electronics goods and furniture worth Tk17 lakh.
Besides, he has immovable assets worth 23 bighas of agricultural lands received from his father. He bought 3.21 acres of agricultural land and 3 Kathas non-farm lands. Also, he has partial ownership of a building, worth Tk2.12 crore.
He has shown his annual income of Tk2.10 lakh from the agriculture sector, Tk2.18 lakh from bank interest, and Tk25.74 lakh salary and allowance as mayor.
On the other hand, the annual income of Jatiya Party mayoral candidate Shafiqul Islam is three times higher than AL's Khaleque. His income is Tk90 lakh of which he earns Tk1.86 lakh from house rent and Tk88 lakh from a business, according to the poll's affidavit.
His movable assets include cash and bank deposits worth Tk1.52 crore, FDR Tk3 crore, a private car worth Th23.50 lakh, electronics and furniture worth Tk3.28 lakh, and 14 tolas of gold.
And his immovable assets include four kathas of land in the Sonadanga area of the city, a four-storey building, 0.1,372 acres, and 0.1244 acres of land in another area. The total price of those is Tk2.55 crore. But he owed Modhumoti Bank Tk52.26 crore.
Besides, the annual income of the Islami Andolon's mayoral candidate is less compared to his two other contenders. He earns Tk1.35 lakh from business and Tk1.96 lakh from teaching in a madrasa annually.
He showed Tk6,000 in cash, electronics goods and furniture worth Tk1.64 lakh, and 15 tolas of gold as movable assets while only 3.57 decimal non-agricultural land as immovable assets.
In this year's Khulna city election, a total of 7 candidates submitted nominations for the mayoral post. However, the returning officer cancelled the nomination of four aspirants due to various complaints. Three aforementioned candidates are currently competing in the elections.
Returning Officer Md Alauddin said those whose nominations have been cancelled can appeal to the Divisional Commissioner by 21 May. Anyone can withdraw their candidature by 26 May. Poll symbols will be given on 26 May and voting will be held on 12 June.