Narayanganj Mayor Ivy does not have the same leverage this time, BNP says

Narayanganj Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy, who won a landslide in the last polls, does not have the same leverage as before because now, she is a ruling party nominee, says the BNP.

Speaking at a discussion on Monday, senior leader Abdullah Al Noman said the scenario has changed because this time Awami League MP Shamim Osman is with her.

Ivy defeated Shamim Osman in the last polls, which the BNP boycotted the night before the voting.

The 2011 election was a non-partisan one, but after an amendment to the laws, it is being held on party lines.

Ivy is running with the Awami League's polls logo 'boat.' Her arch-rival in the local Awami League, Shamim Osman is also backing her.

"The Ivy that was four years ago and the one she is now are not the same. Who voted her then? Those who were oppressed," Noman said on Monday. "But today Shamim Osman is her companion. She has lost society's support," he claimed.

The BNP has pitted Sakhawat Hossain Khan, the lawyer for a plaintiff in the seven-murder case, against Ivy in the mayoral race.

He is general secretary for the BNP’s Narayanganj City chapter.

"Our candidate had stood against the seven murders. He has taken a stance against terrorism by representing the plaintiff,' said Noman.

The former minister reiterated his party's demand that the Election Commission deploy army for the Dec 22 polls.

But, the Election Commission has ruled it out as it deems the law and order situation there as 'better than normal.'