BNP leaders Abbas, Salam, Ripon, Pintu file nominations

Several BNP leaders running for mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation have submitted their nomination papers though they are yet to get formal party backing.

Representatives of Mirza Abbas, Abdus Salam and Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu submitted the papers at the office of the DSCC Returning Officer’s office on Sunday.

BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon himself filed his nomination form.

The BNP is yet to announce its formal support to anyone running for mayors of the two Dhaka City corporations.

Standing Committee member and Dhaka City unit Convener Abbas’ lawyer, Abdus Salam, filed the form on his behalf in the afternoon.

BNP’s Economic Affairs Secretary Salam’s wife, Fatema Salam, submitted her husband’s nomination papers, while Assistant Organising Secretary Pintu’s wife Nasima Aktar Kalpana filed his form.

All of them hope to win the mayoral race if allowed to contest, but maintained they would accept whatever was the party's decision.

They also said the Election Commission was yet to create a level playing field for all contenders which would give them a fair chance to win.

The Awami League has already announced its support to businessman Annisul Huq as the mayor candidate for Dhaka North and Sayeed Khokon for Dhaka South.

However, after meeting with her on Friday night, pro-BNP professionals’ leader Prof Emajuddin Ahamed told reporters that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was positive about the city polls, but the aspirants to get party backing were yet to be chosen.

Abbas’ lawyer and Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal’s acting President Abdus Salam on Sunday told the media that the senior leader would not run if he did not get the party’s backing.

Fatema Salam said she submitted the nomination papers on behalf of her husband since they had been told by the party to prepare for the election.

Pintu’s wife Kalpana made a similar claim. She is also the sister of former Councillor and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Saidur Rahman Newton.

She said, “Nasiruddin Pintu is a committed and popular leader. The people have selected him to run for mayor. The government has him behind bars in a false case.”

If Pintu, who is in jail, becomes a mayoral candidate officially, they would plead for his release on parole, Kalpana said.

Former MP Pintu is serving life term for his role in the 2009 Peelkhana massacre. He has moved the High Court against that verdict and the hearing is pending.

Salam and Abbas, too, have cases against them for blockade violence, and have not been seen in public during the past few weeks.

The forms will be screened on Apr 1 and 2. The last date to withdraw nominations is Apr 9.