With BNP apparently gearing for the mayoral elections for Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitans, its city Convener Mirza Abbas today joined the race for Dhaka south.

          - BNP's Treasurer Abdus Salam already running for Dhaka south

          - BNP's Asaduzzaman Ripon too matches sword for Dhaka south

Advocate Shahjahan, Advocate Mohiuddin and Advocate Salam collected the nomination for Mirza Abbas around 11:00am, Syrul Kabir Khan, BNP chairperson's press and media wing official, told The Daily Star Online this morning.

The mayoral polls for Chittagong and two halves of Dhaka cities will be held on April 28. Last date for filing nomination for mayor and councillor aspirants is March 29.

Meanwhile, BNP international affairs Secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon also collected the nomination to run in the mayoral race in the Dhaka South City Corporation.

Advocate Jillur Rahman bought the nomination paper on behalf of Ripon from the DSCC election commission office around 3:35pm today.

Though BNP, who earlier said would rather continue their move for a fresh national election, did not make any official stand on whether it would participate in the city corporation polls, its leaders are already starting to join in the race.

Mirza Abbas, standing committee member of BNP, is running for Dhaka south against his party cohort Abdus Salam who collected his nomination March 25.

Abdul Awal Mintoo, an adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, has collected his nomination and will run for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) elections.

However, Mintoo, Abbas and Salam stand accused in several violence cases – what the police said yesterday will be taken into consideration during the city polls.

"Accused fugitives" will be brought to book if they participate in the polls, Monirul Islam, a Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) spokesperson said yesterday.