Dhaka, Feb. 4 -- Activists and leaders of the Awami League, whose party activities have been suspended, have thrown their weight behind BNP candidate Chowdhury Nadira Akter for the Madaripur-1 (Shibchar) seat in the parliamentary polls.

On Tuesday at Khan Bari in the municipality, senior Awami League leaders and former local officials joined the electoral meeting to endorse Nadira, said Hemayet Hossain Khan, senior joint convenor of Madaripur BNP.

They argued that their backing for the BNP-nominated candidate is based on her role as a "pro-independence" figure.

Speaking on the issue, Nadira said the party chairman had called for putting Bangladesh first, adding that Shibchar must also come first.

She urged supporters to remain united ...