The release of Selina Hayat Ivy, former mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC), has caused significant unease within the Osman family.
Followers of her political rival, Shamim Osman, and his son, Ajmeri Osman, have reportedly adopted strategies to place her in embarrassing situations by questioning the validity of her bail.
Shamim Osman, who is currently residing in Dubai with his family, and his close associates believe that if Ivy remains active in politics and stays in Narayanganj, their position within the Awami League will be undermined.
After a period of silence, they are allegedly planning “flash processions” to complicate the situation following the news of Ivy’s bail and release from prison. Several leaders from the Narayanganj District and City Awami League have mentioned that Shamim Osman does not intend to return to politics and has lost contact with party leaders.
While Shamim Osman remains in Dubai, his nephew and Nasim Osman’s son, Ajmeri Osman, is reportedly seeking ways to become active in the country from abroad. Intelligence agencies have noted a link between Ivy’s bail and attempts by Ajmeri’s followers to hold flash processions at various points over the past week.
Sources familiar with Narayanganj politics informed TIMES of Bangladesh that the Osman family cannot tolerate Ivy, information that is also held by local police intelligence.
Ivy returned to her residence, “Chunka Kutir,” in Narayanganj city at approximately 12:30am on Wednesday after 13 months in prison.
Following her release on bail from Kashimpur Central Women’s Jail at 10:10pm, she went directly to the Masdair Central City Cemetery to pray at the graves of her parents and younger brother.
Ivy was arrested by police on 9 May 2025, in connection with the murder of garment worker Minarul, and was subsequently shown arrested in nine further cases.
Osman family’s discomfort
Supporters of the Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League claim that while Shamim Osman is criticised for various reasons, Ivy is widely regarded as a representative with a “clean image.”
While her release has pleased her supporters and many members of the public, Shamim Osman’s followers are reportedly very unhappy. The Osman family anticipates that future leadership and authority within the Awami League will rest with Ivy.
As a result, whenever she secures bail, Shamim’s followers organise flash processions, which Ivy’s supporters view as a tactic to obstruct her release. Police and intelligence had received reports of planned processions on Wednesday night; the administration subsequently warned Ivy’s followers.
Associates close to Ivy told TIMES that Shamim Osman made a number of efforts through multiple lawyers to block her bail and prevent her release from prison.
When asked for comment, Shamim Osman told TIMES, “Ivy thanked the government after her release. She expressed gratitude to the same judiciary that sentenced the daughter of Bangabandhu to death.”
He added that processions occur regularly across the country and questioned why he would want to put Ivy in trouble, claiming he wishes her well and wants the good of the country.
Ivy’s regret
Following her release, a regretful Ivy told those close to her, “After 5 August 2024, all the party leaders in Narayanganj fled, but I did not. I stayed because I committed no crime. Yet, I had to go to jail.”
She remarked that while the party was in power, she sought justice against Shamim Osman within the party but did not receive it. “To do politics, one has to rear hoodlums; that is not possible for me,” she said.
Ivy expressed a desire for a “humanitarian government” and hoped the government would be kind to other innocent mothers still in jail.
Potential BNP candidates unhappy
Rumours that the former NCC Mayor might contest elections again have unsettled three local BNP leaders and their followers.
These individuals – Narayanganj City BNP Convener and City Corporation Administrator Sakhawat Hossain Khan, Member Secretary Al Yusuf Khan Tipu, and Md Masuduzzaman Masud (who withdrew after receiving the BNP nomination for the Narayanganj-5 seat) – all aspire to be the BNP mayoral candidate.
Their associates believe that Ivy’s popularity, already high due to her “clean image,” has increased following her imprisonment, making it difficult to defeat in an election.
Since party symbols are no longer used in local government elections, any BNP nominee would face a significant challenge if Ivy contests the seat. The three leaders declined to comment on the matter.
