Haji Salim in deep water

Haji Mohammad Salim is most likely to quit his mayoral bid in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) election as the Awami League high command reportedly wants him to.

Though no official announcement in this regard has been made yet, chances are high that he would do it soon.

An independent MP and leader of the AL's Dhaka city unit, Salim said he had submitted his resignation from his parliamentary position to the speaker, a must for contesting the elections as per electoral laws. But the speaker allegedly rejected it.

Moreover, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the AL chief, talked to Salim and advised him not to take part in the polls and continue as a parliamentarian, according to sources. Her party has already extended support for mayor aspirant Sayeed Khokon in Dhaka South.

Rumors ran rife yesterday that Salim would convene a press conference to announce his decision to quit the race, much like the way AL rebel candidate Jahangir Alam had given up his mayoral quest in Gazipur City Corporation elections on advice from the party high command in 2013.

Though Salim has not announced anything yet, he wrote on his Facebook page at 12:36pm yesterday: "In a bid to take part in the mayoral election in Dhaka South City Corporation, I submitted my resignation letter to parliament on Tuesday, but Speaker Shirin Sharmin Choudhury did not accept the resignation letter.”

Salim's personal assistant Sohel Hawlader told The Daily Star yesterday that the lawmaker had met the speaker on Tuesday night after the day's parliament proceedings and submitted his resignation letter. "But the speaker did not accept it and instead asked him why he would resign when he plays a crucial role in making the House effective and vibrant.”

After several attempts, this correspondent could reach Salim on his phone. "I will say everything, but not now," that's all he said.

Contacted, the speaker said Haji Salim had met her several times after her arrival home from abroad on March 23.

They discussed parliamentary issues and mayor elections but he neither spoke of resigning nor submitted any letter to this end, Shirin Sharmin Choudhury said.

"I haven't got any resignation letter from Haji Salim and I have no idea about it," she said, adding that she had heard about Salim's claim on his Facebook page.

Salim's aide Sohel said the prime minister had called the DSCC mayor-aspirant to Gono Bhaban that very night and talked about the city elections. But Sohel claimed he didn't know the details.

Close relatives and friends of Salim said the lawmaker broke down following the PM's advice as he already had taken a number of steps in the last few days to woo voters.

According to them, Salim has made up his mind not to contest the polls as he would never go against Hasina's wishes.