Salam, Bobby, Kabari quit mayor race

BNP-tent aspirant Abdus Salam, ruling party’s Sarah Begum Kabari and sacked Jatiya Party chief’s adviser Bobby Hajjaj today pulled out from Dhaka’s mayoral race.

Today is the last date for withdrawing nomination as set by the Election Commission ahead of the elections to the two halves of Dhaka city corporations on April 28.

BNP Treasurer Abdus Salam, who stood against party cohort and bigshot candidate Mirza Abbas for Dhaka south, withdrew this afternoon, an official concerned said.

A leader from the party submitted the withdrawal letter to the Election Office, the returning officer, concerned with Dhaka city polls, told The Daily Star.

Former actress and ruling Awami League leader Kabari moved her withdrawal letter to the office herself this afternoon and spoke to the media afterwards.

She said her withdrawal from vying for Dhaka north was in line with advice from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and considering the overall stake of the party.

Bobby Hajjaj’s brother submitted his withdrawal letter this afternoon. He was sacked as special envoy to HM Ershad after he vied for Dhaka north.

As the table currently stands, BNP has Mirza Abbas to compete for mayor of Dhaka south. The party is still undecided to back a candidate for north.

Ruling Awami League is endorsing Annisul Huq for Dhaka north and Sayeed Khokon, son of former 10-year Dhaka mayor Hanif, for Dhaka south.