DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday asked local government minister Syed Ashraful Islam to arrange Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) elections within the shortest possible time.

The premier came up with the directive in the regular cabinet meeting at Secretariat in the morning.

Wishing anonymity, several ministers attended at the meeting, said she asked the local government minister to arrange polls of DNCC and DSCC, saying, “How long the elections of DSCC and DNCC will be kept pending? City corporations cannot run in this manner. Thousands of people are suffering.”

Sources said the premier also said that former Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Anisul Haque has been named as Awami League backed candidate for DNCC.

Sources also said the candidate for DSCC will be finalized later.

Sheikh Hasina also criticized the critics who blamed her for the enduring political situation of the country.

She said, “How can I be held responsible for the situation? I am not bombing and burning people to death.”

“Why are they comparing me with those who are instigating the misdeeds?” she put question.

BDST: 1630 HRS, FEB 16, 2015