Nomination papers for the mayor’s race in the Dhaka North and South City Corporation have been collected on behalf of BNP’s Abdul Awal Mintoo and Abdus Salam.
The move could well be BNP’s first step towards joining the Apr 28 polls, ending a widespread speculation over its participation.
Nomination papers for Khaleda Zia’s advisor Abdul Awal Mintoo was collected by his sons Tabith Awal and Tajwar Awal from the returning officer of Dhaka North city polls on Wednesday.
BNP metropolitan unit leader Monirul Islam collected nomination papers on behalf of Abdus Salam from the Dhaka South city poll’s returning officer.
Islam told reporters, “The BNP is yet to announce its decision, but did not say the party will not join elections. That’s why the nomination has been collected.
“If the party decides not to join the polls, it will be withdrawn,”
Salam, the former member secretary of BNP’s Dhaka metropolitan unit committee, is now the party’s economic affairs secretary.
He is known to be close to BNP leader and former Dhaka Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka.
Meanwhile, Mintoo’s son said they had doubts about free and fair polls.
“We are concerned whether the polls will be fair. We will talk to the Election Commission,”
Tafsir Awal told reporters after collecting the nomination.
Mintoo, a former president of the apex business body FBCCI, was arrested in 2013 ahead of the general elections. He is an accused in several cases of vandalism.
His son, however, said it would not be a ‘problem’ and that they consulted their lawyers
before proceeding to collect the nomination papers.
Asked whether the BNP would formally support Mintoo, Tafsir Awal said: “This is a non-partisan
election. But an endorsement is needed (from Khaleda Zia) since he’s an advisor
to the chairperson.
“Everything will happen upon her support and for the final decision we need to wait until Sunday.”
The deadline for submitting the nomination is Mar 29 while the balloting is slated for Apr 28.
Mintoo was known to be close with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the 1990s.
He was arrested during the army-backed caretaker regime along other businessmen and politicians.
Source: Bd news24
