Claiming that he has no misunderstanding with party-nominated mayor candidate in Narayanganj city polls Selina Hayat Ivy, Awami League lawmaker Shamim Osman yesterday said he would even resign from parliament to campaign for her if instructed by the party chief.

"There might be some disagreement between us but we have no misunderstanding for the greater interest of the party," he said at a press conference at Nasim Osman Memorial  Park in Narayanganj.

According to the electoral code of conduct, a lawmaker cannot campaign for any candidate in the elections to the local government bodies.

After AL picked Ivy as the mayor candidate in the December 22 polls, party president Sheikh Hasina held a meeting at the Gono Bhaban with Narayanganj district AL leaders, including Shamim and Ivy, on November 22. At the meeting, Hasina reportedly instructed all of them to work together to ensure Ivy's victory. Sixteen days after that, Osman publicly extended his support to Ivy yesterday, refuting all media reports on the conflicts between them.

Terming Ivy as a "competent candidate" in the elections, the AL lawmaker said, "Even though we had other favourites, we had no difference of opinion about Ivy".

He said AL leaders and activists in Narayanganj would start an all-out campaign for Ivy, who would be contesting with party electoral symbol 'boat', tomorrow.

"Ensuring Ivy's victory in the elections would be a surprise [for her] from our side. And this victory has been confirmed. I am seeking everyone's blessings for her as I as an MP cannot ask for your votes," he said, describing Ivy as his "sister".

Criticising some BNP leaders' statements that Ivy would not win the elections, Shamim said, "They might have forgotten that Narayanganj is the birthplace of Awami League."

He also said the BNP has "no connection with people" and that they would not vote for the party as "it killed common people just to go to power".

The BNP has nominated advocate Shakhawat Hossain to vie for the mayor in the forthcoming Narayanganj City Corporation polls.

Shamim also demanded trial in the cases filed over Monir, Tawki and sever murders in the district.

District Awami League General Secretary Abu Hasnat Shahid Badal, city AL president Anwar Hossain, among others, also spoke at the press conference yesterday.