Haji Salim likely to quit mayoral race

Haji Mohammad Salim, an independent lawmaker, is likely to step aside from mayoral race in the upcoming Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) elections upon advice from the Awami League high command.

“In a bid to take part in the mayoral elections in Dhaka South City Corporation, I submitted my resignation letter to the parliament on Tuesday, but Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury did not accept the resignation letter,” Salim wrote in his Facebook page at 12:36pm today.

Resignation as lawmaker is mandatory to take part in mayoral elections according to the RPO. As a result, Salim will not be able to participate in the DSCC polls as the speaker did not accept his resignation.

Contacted, the speaker told The Daily Star, “I have not got any resignation letter from Haji Salim.”

She added that she had heard about the Facebook post where Salim claimed to have submitted his resignation which was not accepted by her.

Salim’s close relatives and friends said he broke down mentally at the situation that he might not be able to contest the city polls.

Salim could not be reached over phone despite several attempts for his comments in this regard.

However, an aide to Salim told The Daily Star that he did not make a final decision yet on whether he would contest the elections.

The aide said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called Selim at Gono Bhaban last night and discussed the city elections.

AL insiders said PM advised Selim not to run in the mayoral race as she had already announced the name of Sayeed Khokon as the mayoral candidate to be backed by the Awami League in the DSCC polls.

Hasina, also the president of Awami League, said she wants Salim to stay in the parliament.

Back in 2013, Awami League rebel candidate Jahangir Alam, in a similar situation, had to quite from the mayoral race of Gazipur City Corporation elections following advice from the party high command.