BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia joined the campaign for party-endorsed mayor candidate Tabith Awal yesterday and spent a busy day visiting different areas in Dhaka North City Corporation.

Her motorcade came out of her residence around 4:15pm unannounced because “the government might create obstacles to her campaign if it was scheduled earlier”, according to party sources.

Khaleda's presence generated enthusiasm among party activists and the people of the area she visited. Her visit was a surprise to most.

 The BNP chief started off from Gulshan-2, talking to shoppers and shopkeepers in the area and urged them to vote for "bus", Tabith's electoral symbol. She distributed leaflets herself.

Later, she visited Badda, Banani, Mohakhali, and Tejgaon areas, while her personal aides and security men chanted, through loudspeakers, slogans like “Take Khaleda Zia's salam (salute) and vote for bus”.