M M Jasim :
BNP is suffering from indecision in selecting mayoral candidate in the Dhaka North City Corporation [DNCC] when its favourite nominee Abdul Awal Mintoo has been facing some legal barriers.
Today [Thursday] is the last day of nomination withdrawal. But nobody knows who will be the BNP’s candidate to run in the north. Will it be Tabith M Awal, son of Mintoo? Or, it will be Mahi B Chowdhury, son of former President AQM Badrudozza Chowdhury? It is talk of the city now.
On the other hand, the Awami League and Jatiya Party backed mayor candidates for DNCC on Tuesday launched their formal election campaign.
Insiders said the BNP is now waiting for today’s [April 9] verdict as the Appellate Division of Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed the date for hearing of Mintoo’s appeal challenging rejection of his nominations by the Divisional Commissioner. The Appellate Division chamber judge, justice Hasan Foez Siddique, set the date following Mintoo’s appeal against the High Court’s order that rejected his petition last Monday seeking directive to contest the city corporation election.
The possibility of Tabith winning BNP’s support is getting stronger as most of BNP leaders have expressed their support in favour of him. Tabith is also trying his best to get the blessings of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
On Monday night, Tabith along with his mother met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence. There are widespread speculations that Tabith may eventually get BNP’s blessings if his father’s appeal is turned down by the apex court. On the other hand, Mahi B Chowdhury, Joint Secretary General of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh and a DNCC mayor aspirant has also sought BNP Chief Khaleda’s support. “I believe in Shaheed President Zia’s political ideology of nationalism. And Khaleda Zia is a symbol of these ideology and spirit. So, I sought her and BNP’s support,” said Mahi at a press conference at the VIP Lounge of the National Press Club on Wednesday. Replying to a question, he said that he did not meet Khaleda Zia or any other party leaders.
Mahi said that he is contesting the election giving priority to the demands and thoughts of young generation. “The young generation does not want division, politics of emotion or blood. Rather they want merit and programme-based politics and honest leadership,” he added.
