Hasina asks Awami League leaders not to dirty image in city polls

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has warned the Awami League activists against actions that may dirty the party’s image in city polls.

“These elections are very much important ahead of the general election,” the ruling party chief told a meeting of their local government nomination board at the Ganabhaban on Friday.

The board nominated AHM Khairuzzaman Liton as its mayoral candidate in Rajshahi, Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran in Sylhet and Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah in Barishal.

Hasina ordered the leaders and activists to work together for the party candidates in the July 30 elections.

“I don’t want to see any infighting or anything that can damage the party’s image during the elections. Work together (for the party) so that we can win and work for the people again,” she said.

“Bear in mind, the most important thing is to gain the voters’ trust.

“No one is less eligible than the other nomination hopefuls. But we had to select one for each city. And now we must work carefully to uphold the party’s image,” the Awami League chief said, to hammer the message of unity.

She also asked the activists to follow electoral code of conduct and avoid untoward situation.

“It’s not that we’ll lose seats or power or honour if we lose these elections. Don’t do anything to deal victory that can tarnish the party’s image.

“I don’t want elections like the one overseen by the BNP on Feb 15 (in 1996) or that in Magura,” she added.