The ruling Awami League (AL) had asked the renegade candidates at the Dhaka City Corporation polls to pull out from the race, an instruction flouted by many of the councillor aspirannts.
In some areas, party-backed candidates are cornered by the independent ones. In two city corporation polls, there are 115 renegade candidates and of the 75 wards of the Dhaka South, there are 72 rebellious candidates. In Dhaka North’s 54 wards, there are 39 rebel candidates.
Talking on the matter, AL’s advisory panel member, Tofail Ahmed, said: “There’s nothing more to do and our main aim is to ensure victory for the party. And there’s no time to punish the rebels.”
The rebels were first asked, then given warning and eventually invited for a compromise. While many withdrew their candidature, others remained defiant.
Member of the AL election committee Humayun Kabir, said: “Many became candidates ignoring party orders and punitive measures will be taken against them after election. Currently, the main focus is being given to the winning of the post of mayor.”
Speaking on the issue, party General Secretary Obaidul Quader added: “The issue about renegade candidates is an internal matter, leave the matter to us; we have been in power since 2009 so such issues will remain.”
Son of Haji Selim, Irfan Selim is a rebel candidate from DSCC’s ward 30. Another ousted Jubo League leader, AKM Mominul Huq Sayeed, better known as Casino Sayeed, is a rebel candidate from Dhaka South ward number 9. It’s believed he has the patronage of a minister.