Haji Salim campaigns for Dhaka South mayor aspirant Sayeed Khokon

Awami League leader Haji Mohammad Salim, who had to back off from the mayor election abiding party decision, has joined the campaign of Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral aspirant Sayeed Khokon.

Ruling party-endorsed candidate Khokon along with Salim conducted mass contact programmes in Hazaribagh and Kamrangirchar areas of the capital on Saturday.

Khokon, the son of former mayor of undivided Dhaka Corporation late Mohammad Hanif, is vying for the mayoral post with his electoral symbol ‘hilsa’.

Independent MP Salim during day-long canvassing told reporters, “I am with Sayeed right now and will be with him in future too.”

Khokon promised the residents of the areas to fulfil their expectations if elected.

The organising secretary of Awami League’s Dhaka City unit also brushed off the allegations levelled against him by his rival Mirza Abbas’ wife Afroza Abbas.

Both ruling party leaders were flanked by other party leaders and activists during the campaigning on Saturday.

The elections for the Dhaka South, Dhaka North and Chittagong City Corporations are slated for Apr 28.

Haji Salim had collected the nomination papers to run for the mayor post of DSCC. But he withdrew after the Awami League decided to extend its support to Sayeed Khokon.

Khokon, however, went to meet Salim at his house a day after submitting the nomination form. They later announced to work together.