Rony, Mahi collect nominations for Dhaka South, North mayoral elections

Former Awami League MP Golam Maula Rony has collected nomination papers to contest Dhaka South City Corporation mayor election.

Bikalpadhara Bangladesh Joint Secretary General Mahi B Chowdhury also collected the papers to run for Dhaka North City Corporation mayor on Wednesday.
 
The others who collected papers for Dhaka South included pro-BNP teachers’ leader Selim Bhuyian, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BaSaD) leader Bajlur Rashid Firoz and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) leader Shahidul Islam.
 
BNP leaders are also collecting nomination papers though the party is yet to announce its decision over taking part in the elections on Apr 28.
 
Papers for BNP leaders Abdul Awal Mintoo and Abdus Salam for Dhaka North and South respectively were collected earlier in the day.
 
Four members of a Facebook group founded by Mahi collected the nomination papers on his behalf.
 
Mahi is the son of Bikalpadhara chief and former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury.
 
The party is not a member of the 20-Party Alliance but is close to the BNP, which leads the alliance.
 
Former Awami League MP Rony is apparently “unwanted” in the party after embarrassing senior leaders on several occasions.
 
A lawyer for BNP leader Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, serving life term for his role in the Peelkhana massacre, collected nomination paper for him on Tuesday.
 
He is contesting in Dhaka South City Corporation polls.
 
Awami League leaders Sayeed Khokon and Haji Mohammad Salim have collected nomination papers for the post of mayor of Dhaka South while business leader Annisul Huq collected papers for Dhaka North.
 
Sabujbagh BNP leader Shamsul Huda collected nomination papers for a councillor’s post in Ward-6.
 
Asked why he collected the papers even as his party was yet to decide on the matter, he said he would withdraw nomination if the party asked him to do so.
 
The last day for submission of nomination papers is Mar 29.
 
EC serves notice to aspirant
 
Dhaka North City Corporation Returning Officer Mohammad Shah Alam has served a show-cause notice on mayor aspirant Ekhlas Uddin Ahmed.
 
He was served the notice for kick-starting the campaign in advance.
 
Ahmed was asked on Wednesday to explain why he should not remove posters and billboards within the next two days.
 
Alam’s assignment officer Nazrul Islam said the returning officer would warn the aspirant if his explanation did not satisfy him.