Tabith Awal survives loan default scare, stays in Dhaka North mayoral race

Tabith Mohammed Awal, son of BNP leader Abdul Awal Mintoo, has stayed afloat in Dhaka North City Corporation mayoral race after surviving a loan default scare.

Dhaka’s Divisional Commissioner Zillar Rahman quashed the charges brought against him by the Sonali Bank Limited after a hearing on Tuesday evening.
 
The nationalised commercial bank had accused Tabith of repaying Tk 25 million loan only after the deadline was over.
 
The bank had asked that his candidacy be cancelled on that ground.
 

The divisional commissioner is the Election Commission-appointed appeals authority.

The Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Chittagong city corporations elections are scheduled to take place on Apr 28.

Mintoo’s nomination was cancelled after it was found out that the supporter he named in his nomination form was not a voter of Dhaka North City Corporation.
 
Now Tabith’s chances of winning the BNP backing are being discussed.
 
He met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday night.
 
Bikalpadhara Bangladesh leader Mahi B Chowdhury is also running for the office.
 
The party is close to the BNP, too. Its chief AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury was the president of Bangladesh during a tenure of BNP.
 
Ruling Awami League has decided to support businessman Annisul Huq in the fight for Dhaka North mayor.
 
He kicked off campaign earlier on Tuesday.