Independent candidates must abide by party discipline: Hasan

Independent candidates who are in posts in different capacities of Awami League (AL) must be aware of party discipline.

Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud said this to journalists on Wednesday.

Earlier, he submitted his nomination paper at Chattogram Deputy Commissioner office for the upcoming 12th national parliament election as an AL-nominated candidate for Chattogram-7 constituency (Ranguniya-some part of Boalkhali).

“There have always been independent candidates in polls and many of them were elected. But the independent candidates of our party who are holding posts must keep the party discipline in mind,” he said.

Dr Hasan said a festive mood has started prevailing across the country centering the polls and different political parties have declared names of their candidates. Those candidates are submitting their nomination papers, he said.

He said out of 44 registered political parties, thirty parties are taking part in the upcoming polls while many other unregistered parties are also taking part in the election. The polls will be held in time, he added.

He said conspiracies are being hatched at home and abroad when the country is moving ahead. “But our government's policy is 'friendship to all and malice to none'. We work with the policy and we have good relations with all. We want to take the country to its dream destination with the cooperation of all development partners.”