Govt had no role in DNCC polls deferment: Quader

The Awami League (AL) has nothing to do with the High Court (HC)'s order halting the bypolls to the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), the party's general secretary Obaidul Quader said, reports bdnews24.com.

Quader made the statement responding to reporters' queries following the HC order on Wednesday.

"The government is not involved in this. We don't believe in dirty politics," said Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister.

The HC stayed the February 26 DNCC by-polls and elections in 36 new wards for three months.

The Election Commission declared the election schedule on January 9 following the death of former Dhaka North mayor Annisul Huq on Nov 30, 2017.

Ataur Rahman and Jahangir Alam, the chairmen of Bhatara and Beraid union councils, challenged the schedule in court on Tuesday.

The Awami League named businessman Atiqul Islam to contest the by-polls as a mayoral candidate.

The writ petitions by Ataur Rahman and Jahangir Alam added fuel to speculations that the ruling party was putting itself at risk by contesting the polls with only one year left of its term.

When reporters highlighted the matter to Quader, he said: "We were due to announce candidates for the councillor elections in the wards but did not do so only because we respect the court."