Tabith 'unwilling'

Tabith Awal, son of Abdul Awal Mintoo, yesterday called up BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and expressed his unwillingness to contest the mayoral polls of Dhaka North City Corporation, according to his family sources.  

The BNP was looking to back either Tabith or Bikolpodhara Bangladesh leader Mahi B Chowdhury for the mayoral race as Mintoo's candidacy has become uncertain following rejection of his nomination papers.

According to party insiders, Khaleda had pinned high hopes on Mintoo.

She believed that he would bag the DNCC mayoral post defeating Annisul Huq, Awami League's mayoral favourite.

But on April 1, the DNCC returning officer rejected his nomination paper as the BNP heavyweight had picked an unqualified voter to support his candidacy.

And on Saturday, Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Zillar Rahman rejected his appeal challenging the RO's decision.

Under the election law, a DNCC voter has to propose one's candidacy and another has to second it.

Abdur Razzaque, who supported Mintoo's nomination, was a voter of Uttara-13 under Harirampur union parishad which is outside the DNCC area.

In this situation, Mintoo, an adviser to the BNP chairperson, yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directive to the Election Commission to allow him to participate in the polls.

The HC is likely to hear the petition today, Mintoo's counsel AKM Ehsanur Rahman told The Daily Star after submitting the petition.

Tabith's family sources said he has informed the BNP chief that he is not willing to contest the mayoral race as a section of BNP men suspected that his father's mistake was intended to pave the way for his son.

Sources said a section of BNP leaders are in favour of backing Mahi, son of former president and ex-BNP leader AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury if Mintoo finally fails to contest the election.

But Mahi's opponents in the BNP and the 20-party alliance are saying that Mahi is no one in the opposition combine.

Caught in a dilemma, Khaleda is discussing with the party's well-wishers and senior leaders to reach a decision, party sources said.