Atiqul, Iqbal buy forms for AL candidacy in Dhaka North mayoral by-polls

Businessman Atiqul Islam, former MP HBM Iqbal and six other mayoral aspirants have collected the Awami League’s forms for the nomination of the party’s candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation by-polls.

They bought the forms for Tk 25,000 each after the distribution started at the Awami League chief’s Dhanmondi offices on Saturday.

A representative for former BGMEA president Atiqul Islam collected the candidacy application form on his behalf.

Besides Atiqul and Iqbal, FBCCI Director Helal Uddin and Dhaka University teacher Jobaer Alam also collected the form. Jobaer is also the editor of the Bangladesh Today.

Russell Ashequi and Adam Tamizi Haque also bought forms from Office Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap at the start of the day.

“I wish to strengthen the hand of the honourable prime minister and work for the development of Dhaka North,” Russell told the media. “If I am elected and win as the party’s candidate I will work for the advancement of the DNCC area.”

Businessman Tamizi is the managing director of AT Haque Limited.

A representative for Monipur School and College Principal Mohammad Farhad Hossain also picked up a form, so did a former principal of the college in Dhaka, Shah Alam.

The Awami League will sell the forms until Jan 15. The party’s local government election board will pick a candidate.

Atiqul is seen by many as a favourite for the candidacy as the businessman begun his campaign and met the prime minister.

The by-polls to fill the position left vacant by the death of Annisul Huq will take place on Feb 26. The deadline to submit candidacy forms is Jan 18. Huq had won the post with the backing of the Awami League three years ago.