Change of heart as Muhith plans to run again for Sylhet seat

Finance Minister AMA Muhith has apparently changed his mind and expressed willingness to run in the next parliamentary election from Sylhet-1.

"I am here. But, it can be said later whether I will compete in the election," he said in reply to media queries after distributing food among tea workers in Sylhet Sadar Upazila Council on Friday.

Asked how much hopeful he was about taking part in the election, he said, "One hundred percent hopeful."

The 83-year old minister placed in parliament his 11th national budget, his eighth consecutive as the Awami League's finance minister, on June 1.

He had said earlier on several occasions that he would not run for any election after this government's tenure ends in 2019.

He had also introduced his younger brother AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh's former ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, as the next candidate in the election scheduled for late 2018 or early 2019.

In the 10th parliamentary election, Muhith won the Sylhet-1 seat uncontested.

He defeated BNP's late Saifur Rahman, a former finance minister, in the 9th parliamentary election.

After distributing food among the tea workers, Muhith urged the people to vote for the Awami League's boat symbol, keeping in mind the work it has done for public welfare.

He said the next general election will be held in December next year.