Annisul Huq says he is not Awami League-backed candidate, only has Hasina’s support

Businessman Annisul Huq has claims he has not been pitted by ruling Awami League in Dhaka North City Corporation mayoral race as a party candidate.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 29 March 2015, 03:05 PM
Updated : 15 August 2015, 04:08 PM

“I am not a ruling party candidate, nor a party candidate. But they have given me their support,” he said to journalists at the office of returning officer for Dhaka North on Sunday after filing the nomination papers.

He was accompanied by Awami League Joint General Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, International Affairs Secretary Faruk Khan, former minister Abdur Razzaq, former FBCCI chief AK Azad and BGMEA chief Atiqul Islam.

“The prime minister’s support is with me – that is my strength,” he said.

Sheikh Hasina introduced him and Sayeed Khokon, son of late Dhaka mayor Mohammad Hanif, as Awami League-backed mayor aspirants last Friday night.

The former FBCCI president said, “Opportunities for taking new responsibilities are there for the taking.”

He urged the Election Commission to create a level playing field for all the contenders to equal opportunities to win the balloting.

Huq said he was being ‘very careful’ about following the electoral code of conduct. “I have brought only five people with me for submitting the nomination papers. I will follow the code of conduct to the letter.”

“I wish for a fair election with everyone getting in. Everyone should also follow the rules.”

Earlier in the day, BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s Adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo, also a former FBCCI chief, had his nomination form filed for the Dhaka North mayoral election.

His sons Tafsir Mohammed Awal and Tajwar Mohammed Awal had submitted it.

Tafsir later told reporters they hoped the EC would create an election-friendly environment.

He said his father running the race would depend on the environment.

Jatiya Party Presidium member Bahauddin Ahmed Babul, former Awami League MP and actress Sarah Begum Kabori and Mintoo’s another son Tabith Mohammed Awal were among those who filed the nomination papers on Sunday, the last day for submission.

After submitting the form, former MP Kabori told reporters she had the backing of Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina.

“This is a local government election. Anyone can run. The prime minister has given me her blessing.”

She, however, said she would think it over if the party high-up asked her to withdraw from the race.

As many as 30 people had collected the nomination papers to fight in the mayor election in Dhaka North. Only 10 of them submitted the forms until 4pm.

The forms will be screened on Apr 1 and 2. The last date to withdraw nominations is Apr 9.

Mayor aspirant fined

One of the Dhaka North mayor aspirants, Nayeem Hasan, paid Tk 20,000 fine just after submitting his nomination papers Sunday.

He violated the code of conduct by arriving in the office riding on a horse carriage decorated with posters and banners.

Mobile court Executive Magistrate Sarwar Alam fined him at the returning officer’s office in the afternoon.

He paid the fine at once to avoid one-month jail term.