bdnews24.com :
The Awami League is toying with the idea of picking Bangladesh cricketers Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan to run in the general elections, its general secretary says.
Obaidul Quader told a news conference in Dhaka on Thursday they will spring ‘some surprises’ on the list of their candidates for the parliamentary polls due by the end of this year.
But he would not reveal what those might be when asked who will be the ‘surprise’ candidates. “Discussions on these are still under way,” – was all he said.
“It’s not final as yet. Many aspirants from the culture, sports, media and many other fields have already applied (for nomination),” he said.
Quader also declined making any ‘final comment’ on the possibilities of the two national cricket team captains joining politics.
“I’ve spoken to Shakib. They don’t have any say on politics before the World Cup,” Quader said.
ODI skipper Mashrafe, 34, hopes to lead the Tigers in the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.
Shakib, the 31-year-old star all-rounder who captains Bangladesh in Test and Twenty20, will also be playing in the tournament.
Speculations about their entry into politics were triggered by sport organiser and Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal when he hinted last Tuesday that the two cricketers may run for parliamentary polls.
“He (Kamal) did not say that they (Mashrafe and Shakib) are going to contest in the elections on the Awami League’s ticket. What he said is that he would vote for them if they contested,” Quader said.
“You’ll see after the World Cup who will contest from which seat and how. These are still being discussed. They (Mashrafe and Shakib) would not make up their mind until the World Cup is over,” he added.
The Awami League general secretary also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has the list of possible candidates of the next elections.
Speaking about the same issue on Wednesday, Hasina said, “Celebrities get nominations all over the world. They too have the desire (to lead the people in politics). They have brought honour to the country.”
The Awami League is toying with the idea of picking Bangladesh cricketers Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan to run in the general elections, its general secretary says.
Obaidul Quader told a news conference in Dhaka on Thursday they will spring ‘some surprises’ on the list of their candidates for the parliamentary polls due by the end of this year.
But he would not reveal what those might be when asked who will be the ‘surprise’ candidates. “Discussions on these are still under way,” – was all he said.
“It’s not final as yet. Many aspirants from the culture, sports, media and many other fields have already applied (for nomination),” he said.
Quader also declined making any ‘final comment’ on the possibilities of the two national cricket team captains joining politics.
“I’ve spoken to Shakib. They don’t have any say on politics before the World Cup,” Quader said.
ODI skipper Mashrafe, 34, hopes to lead the Tigers in the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.
Shakib, the 31-year-old star all-rounder who captains Bangladesh in Test and Twenty20, will also be playing in the tournament.
Speculations about their entry into politics were triggered by sport organiser and Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal when he hinted last Tuesday that the two cricketers may run for parliamentary polls.
“He (Kamal) did not say that they (Mashrafe and Shakib) are going to contest in the elections on the Awami League’s ticket. What he said is that he would vote for them if they contested,” Quader said.
“You’ll see after the World Cup who will contest from which seat and how. These are still being discussed. They (Mashrafe and Shakib) would not make up their mind until the World Cup is over,” he added.
The Awami League general secretary also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has the list of possible candidates of the next elections.
Speaking about the same issue on Wednesday, Hasina said, “Celebrities get nominations all over the world. They too have the desire (to lead the people in politics). They have brought honour to the country.”
