AL leaders Khokon, Salim pick up nominations for Dhaka South

Awami League leaders Sayeed Khokon and Haji Mohammad Salim have collected nomination papers to contest the mayor post of the Dhaka South City Corporation.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 24 March 2015, 10:38 AM
Updated : 24 March 2015, 10:38 AM

The ruling party has decided to support Khokon, son of former Dhaka mayor Mohammad Hanif.

But Salim, an MP from Old Dhaka, claims the locals want him as mayor.

Elections to three city corporations in Dhaka and Chittagong are slated for Apr 28.

Khokon, organising secretary of the ruling party’s Dhaka city unit, and Joint General Secretary Salim started campaigning even before the poll schedule was announced.

Salim defeated Awami League candidate Mostofa Jalal Mohiuddin in the last national polls as a renegade candidate.

Khokon collected his nomination Tuesday and alleged while talking to reporters about polls code violation by a possible candidate.

“Many have started campaigning in advance. Voters are being threatened with arms and muscle power... These are clear violations of the poll conduct,” he claimed.

Dhaka South’s Returning Officer Mihir Sarowar Morshed said 13 people had collected nominations for the mayor’s post.

But Salim, who showed up around an hour later, said he could not say things like Khokon could.

“I’m an MP. What can I do if hundreds of people join me when I stand on the road?” he asked.

He defended his decision to contest the polls. 

“I’m collecting the nomination as the residents of Dhaka want me to contest for the mayor’s post,” Salim said.

Asked if the party’s discipline was being compromised, as he decided to run for the mayor despite the ruling party backing Khokon, he said, “I’m a man of the Awami League.

“The party is still screening [the candidates] and I believe it will pick me finally.”