Haji Salim off to India for 'treatment'
Haji Mohammad Salim, mayoral candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation, flew to India on Wednesday night "out of frustration" stemming from failure to secure party support in the upcoming city polls.
However, in his Facebook page, Salim cited "treatment" as the reason for going to India.
Sources close to him told The Daily Star that after a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday night, Salim became sure that he would not get party support in the polls.
At that meeting Hasina suggested he continue as a parliamentarian rather than taking part in the polls.
"He [Salim] was utterly disappointed after the meeting," said a close aide to the independent lawmaker from Dhaka-7.
Salim has completed all preparation to contest in the polls and his India visit is nothing but refraining himself from the recent political development over the elections.
Sources close to Salim also said that he was still waiting for the party's nod and he would return on March 29, the last day of submission of nomination papers for DCC polls.
Salim wrote in his Facebook page yesterday that he was traveling to Madras (Chennai) for treatment and he would visit Ajmer Sharif before he came back.
"I became sick as I tortured my health for the last few days due to the mayoral election. Along with me, thousands of my supporters and well-wishers worked hard for me and I am grateful to them," read his Facebook post.
Talking with the Daily Star, Mohiuddin Belal, personal aide to the independent lawmaker, said Salim was waiting for the Speaker's decision.
Salim tendered his resignation to the Speaker on Tuesday and if the resignation is not accepted by the Speaker, he will not be able to contest the polls.
On Wednesday, Hasina, also the AL chief, met City Unit AL leaders and officially informed them that the party would back Sayeed Khokon, son of former city mayor Mohammad Hanif, for Dhaka south and former FBCCI president Annisul Huq for Dhaka north city corporation polls.
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