I will resign as MP to work for Ivy if Hasina wants: Shamim Osman

AKM Shamim Osman has claimed there is no rift in Narayanganj Awami League and he is ready to resign from Parliament to work for the party's mayor candidate Selina Hayat Ivy on 'the leader's orders'.

Amid media reports over the long-drawn rivalry between the two ruling party leaders, Shamim from influential Osman family called a press conference at Nasim Osman Memorial Park on Friday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina nominated Ivy to fight with Awami League's 'boat' symbol for the mayor's post in Dec 22 Narayanganj City Corporation elections.

Calling Ivy 'Chhoto Bon' (younger sister) several times in his speech, Shamim Osman said, "Ivy is the deserving candidate for the Awami League."

He noted that the electoral code of conduct bars him from campaigning for Ivy as an MP from Narayanganj-4 seat.

"But if the leader (Hasina) wants, I will step down from Parliament on Saturday and go door to door with Ivy," he said.

"And if my leader does not give me the option, I have the right to work for the election outside the city corporation," he added.

The MP claimed the electoral code of conduct does not have any provision that can bar him from speaking outside the election area. "If such a provision exists, then those speaking about the election in TV talk-shows cannot do this," he added.

He also said he would send his supporters to seek vote for 'boat' from Saturday if he does not get the chance to join Ivy's campaign.

Five years ago, Ivy became first mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation by beating Shamim Osman. The rivalry between their families go back a long way.

Ivy's father Ali Ahmed Chunka was elected Narayanganj Municipality chairman from Osman family's rival faction in the Awami League.

After the last city corporation vote in 2011, the Ivy-Shamim rivalry reached a new high following the murder of teenager Tanvir Ahmed Twaki and the sensational seven-murder incident. They also traded ugly comments at a heated TV talk-show.

Ivy's name was not included in the list of candidates recommended by the Shamim-influenced Narayanganj City committee of the Awami League for the upcoming elections.

The party, however, put trust in Narayanganj District Awami League Vice-President Ivy, who has represented Narayanganj City for over a decade.

Later, amid concerns over chances of the Awami League's win in the election clouded by the feud, party President Hasina sat with Shamim and Ivy at the Ganabhaban.

None of the two spoke to the media about the meeting. The Awami League said the leaders and activists in Narayanganj will work for Ivy.

There has been no comment made over the issue since those were made after the Nov 23 meeting. Now Shamim Osman has appeared before the media five days after the start of the campaign through the allotment of symbols on Monday.

He expressed the hope that the party will be able to get Ivy win the polls. "Ivy is my younger sister, Chhoto Bon," he said.

He admitted that he 'had a feud' with Ivy, but said it is 'a thing of past' now.

"You (journalists) will see (the change in) the campaign for 'boat' from tomorrow (Saturday)," he said.

Shamim Osman also said his position regarding Ivy is 'not borne out of pressure', but out of his loyalty to the party chief.

"I am for the Awami League, I will be for the Awami League until my death," he said.

"We, who have been born after 1975 (the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman), are actually 'one master dog'. We have only one leader - Sheikh Hasina," he said.

"Her will, decision, whatever she gives, is orders for those of us who have got her affection," he added.