Some people of Cumilla, along with a section of the Awami League, started supporting former Chhatra League leader AKM Bahauddin Bahar in the ‘80s to usher in a new era of young leadership and counter the influence of late party heavyweight Afzal Khan’s family in regional politics. Little did they know what was ahead of them.  

Regarding the results of the Cumilla City Corporation election, local Awami League MP Bahauddin Bahar said, "We have won the election. It doesn't matter who disagrees with the result. Many councilors will not accept the result.”