Mohiuddin's no to parliament polls

Awami League senior leader ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury said he has no plans to contest the upcoming national election.

The announcement comes just three days after he said he will no longer be participating in any City Corporation polls.

"Many people are saying that I should be a candidate. But it isn't the only thing there is," the veteran leader told grassroot leaders of the Awami League in a discussion at Chittagong.

He said he is willing to work for candidates in Chittagong and adjoining areas such as Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Khagrachharhi and Rangamati, if given the responsibility.

"I have no plans to contest this time", said the former Mayor to the port city.

File Photo

"Mohiuddin Chowdhury does not need a post. Mohiuddin Chowdhury works for the people."

The president for Chittagong Metropolitan Awami League had lost the Kotwali seat to BNP's Abdullah Al Noman in the 1991 parliament polls.

He was Chittagong's Mayor for three consecutive terms until he lost in 2010.

A total 16 Awami Leaguers have sought party tickets in the four parliamentary seats of the port city this time.

But the four sitting Awami League MPs in Chittagong were absent in the meeting, with Kotwali MP Nurul Islam, a known rival of Mohiuddin, strongly opposing the meeting.

"Many are criticising today's meeting", said Mohiuddin. A lot of candidates are not here and some have decided to join us. I will not dismiss anyone's opinion. The candidates will be selected by Sheikh Hasina."

"Not everyone was in favour of the past candidates, but we worked nevertheless that is why they have won."

The senior leader asked 600 activists of Awami League and its fraternal organisation in each ward to secure votes from least 20 voters so Awami League can in all the seats of the port city.