BANGLADESH

Narayanganj City mayor candidate Selina Hayat Ivy has said she will be there in the race, hours after her party gave out its support to rival Shamim Osman.

"I pursue politics with Awami League. I am now in the field, and would be there in future. I've no scope to step back," she told bdnews24.com on Tuesday night.

"People will answer me on Oct 30 through vote," she added.

Ending days of suspense, Awami League announced Shamim Osman as its favourite Narayanganj City Corporation mayor candidate.

Earlier in the evening, party's acting general secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif told bdnews24.com that Awami League had decided to lend out its support to Shamim.

When asked for a reaction to the party position, Ivy said, "I am outside. I don't know what Mr Hanif has said."

The former Narayanganj municipality mayor added that she would issue an official reaction on Wednesday after confirming the party's announcement.

There have been confusions over the ruling party's support to its two members who are vying for the first NCC polls.

Both are members of influential political families.

Over Election Commission's repeated warnings, Awami League's top leadership held multiple prolonged meetings with the two but was unable to convince either to withdraw.

Ivy, who is a doctor by training and the daughter of Ali Ahmad Chunka, the former Narayanganj municipality mayor, will be running the polls with 'pen-inkpot' symbol.

Shamim, whose brothers Nasim and Selim are MP and BKMEA president respectively, has been given 'wall clock'.

Six candidates are contesting the mayor's post while 300 for councilor posts in the NCC elections scheduled for Oct 30.