Osman or Ivy to get party backing

The ruling Awami League has decided to back either Shamim Osman or Selina Hayat Ivy in the October 30 mayoral polls of Narayanganj City Corporation to avert split of pro-AL votes.
Shifting from its earlier decision of not backing any of the two, AL will ask one of them to pull out of the election to ensure victory of the party favourite.
Both Shamim, a former AL lawmaker, and Ivy, vice-president of town unit AL, have been called to the party chief's political office in Dhanmondi at 10:00am today, AL acting General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif told newsmen yesterday.
Senior AL leaders including Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury will talk to them.
Party insiders said if Shamim and Ivy fail to reach a compromise, both would be called to the Gono Bhaban, where the prime minister will talk to them.
Some leaders hinted that the party might back Shamim in the NCC polls, while Ivy might be advised to contest the next general elections from any constituency in Narayanganj.
Earlier, the AL high command was divided over who should get the party's backing in the polls, and decided not to support any of the two.