Ivy: Good if Shamim Osman supports; even better if he doesn’t

She claimed that the Osman family members as well as his follower are supporting her in the upcoming election, reports Bangla Tribune. “Some will support me openly, while others support secretly. If Shamim Osman actively supports me in the election, it is good and even better if he does not,” the former Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) mayor said during a election strategy discussion with the central Awami League leaders at the AL President Sheikh Hasina's office in Dhanmondi on Sunday. She said: “The Narayanganj Awami League as well as Osman's supporters are with me. Even the Narayanganj Awami League President Anowar Hossain has pledged his support to me. “I will visit all the wards in Narayanganj and speak to people from every level. And if need be, I will also visit Shamim Osman. But he will of course need to be dealt with by the central leaders.” Ivy also requested the central team to send a representative from the minorities groups to the religious and ethnic minorities living in Narayanganj. While Ivy presented her election strategies at the meeting, she also received advice from the leaders. During her presentation, AL Joint General Secretary Dipu Moni and Secretary Abdur Rahman were seen to take notes, which were to be sent to Sheikh Hasina in the evening, and further steps would be taken according to her decision and directions. When asked, AL Organisational Secretary KM Enamul Haque Shamim said: “We have sat down with Ivy at 11am and have discussed different strategies for the election.” Sources said Ivy complained about Shamim Osman spreading rumours about her lack of connection with the AL. On this issue Ivy said: “Who other than me was in Narayanganj to run the AL activities since 2001? If any reference is drawn to our fathers, was my father's contribution any less than his? The difference was that his father made money through politics while my father lost his. Also, when I went abroad for my studies, I did so with Sheikh Hasina's consent. When I supported Shamim Osman, I did so for Awami League.  And just when I became a mayoral candidate in 2011, I suddenly became no one in the party. Why are such rumours being spread about me?” Sources from the meeting said that Ivy requested for assistance from the party for the safety of the minorities at vote centres. She said: “Minorities are already being threatened about the election and the culprits behind this need to be brought forward through investigation.” Ivy also requested the AL organisers of the previous election to be put in charge of the upcoming one. AL organisational secretaries Mohibul Hasan Noufel and BM Mojammel Haque, Forest and Environment Secretary Delwar Hossain and others were present at the discussion.