Hasina ‘introduces’ Annisul, Khokon as Awami League-backed Dhaka mayor aspirants

Sheikh Hasina has introduced Annisul Huq and Sayeed Khokon to party functionaries as Awami League-backed mayor aspirants of the two city corporations in Dhaka.

She urged the activists to honour the party decision for ‘greater good’, Joint General Secretary Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif told bdnews24.com.

The Awami League chief brought Annisul and Khokon to the fore during an interaction with Dhaka City unit at the Ganabhaban.

After the meeting, Hanif told bdnews24.com about the party’s final decision to back Annisul and Khokon.

Former FBCCI chief Huq is aspiring to become mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation.

Khokon, Organising Secretary of the party’s Dhaka City unit, will fight to go to the office of the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.

“The party chief has introduced them to the leaders and activists as mayor aspirants,” Hanif said.

Media reports earlier named them as Awami League-backed candidates.

But confusion arose when Awami League leader Haji Mohammad Salim threw his hat in the ring for Dhaka South mayor. The independent MP has apparently pulled out of the race failing to get party endorsement.

“The prime minister has ordered all to work for the party-backed candidates,” Hanif said.

The joint general secretary further said Hasina ordered the city unit leaders to ensure that single candidates for ward councillors are well supported by the party.

The prime minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Ashraful Alam Khokan said she warned all that consequences of going against party decision will not be good.

After a meeting on Wednesday, top leaders said Hasina ordered to work for Khokon, the son of late Dhaka mayor Mohammad Hanif.

Salim left for India on the same night.

Referring to Hasina’s remarks, Khokan said there was no alternative other than to unite efforts to tackle anti-Bangladesh forces and prevent anarchy created by the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Senior leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Sheikh Selim were also present at the interactive meeting.