The 85-year old had earlier announced retirement after making the budget for 2018-19 fiscal year, but later hinted that he may give it another shot in the elections due by the end of this year.
“I am at the same position (on retirement); but I will contest in the election if necessary for the party,” he told reporters who asked for his comments on the issue at the Secretariat on Monday.
“I had said that I did not want to contest in elections any more. But if the party needs, if Mr Ershad (Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad) and (BNP chief) Khaleda Zia become candidates from the opposition, then of course I will contest,” he added.
Asked who will be his main rival in the elections if he fights, Muhith said, “It is difficult to say. Ershad is very much popular in Sylhet. Because Sylhet saw much development during his tenure.”
“I think he is more popular than Ms Zia. Her stand is different, she is the opposition leader,” said the former finance minister of Ershad’s military regime.
Born on Jan 25, 1934, Muhith won the Sylhet-1 (Sadar) seat for the first time in the 2008 elections.
The finance minister said he saw during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays that there was no buzz around election in Sylhet.
“I hope the elections will be peaceful this time and everyone will take part in the polls,” he said.
He also thinks that the BNP will not be able to survive if it does not contest in the elections.
“BNP policymakers also understand this well,” he said.