Awami League today unanimously decided to back AJM Nasir, Chittagong city general secretary of the ruling party, as a mayoral candidate in the April 28 elections to Chittagong City Corporation.

The decision came at a marathon meeting between the AL central leaders and Chittagong city leaders at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Gono Bhaban residence. Hasina, also the president of AL, chaired the meeting.

President of Chittagong City AL ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, who had announced himself as the mayoral candidate of the AL-led 14-party combine recently, was present at the meeting along with 15 to 20 top party leaders of the port city.

Chowdhury told the meeting that he is physically sick and has become older and for this reason he does not want to join the race this time. He informed the meeting that he would work for any candidate to be picked by the AL for backing in the polls.

The Dhaka north, south and Chittagong city corporations will go into polls on April 28. Voters will exercise their franchise to elect three mayors and 179 councillors in the cities.