BNP-blessed mayor aspirant Mirza Abbas and Bikolpo Dhara Bangladesh backed candidate Mahi B Chowdhury formally started their campaign today for the Dhaka city polls.

Abbas' wife Afroza Abbas started the campaign from Khilgaon area in the morning on behalf of her husband Mirza Abbas, an aspirant for Dhaka South City Corporation polls.

The BNP leader, now hiding, is facing 60 cases, and waiting to secure bails from the HC in some cases to start his campaign.

Flanked with BNP leaders and activists, Afroza sought blessings and support for her husband, Mahmud Hasan told The Daily Star on behalf of Abbas's media wing.

She also campaigned in Basabo and Madartak, Shantipur, Tilpara and Sabujbagh area till 2:30pm, Hasan said.

Meanwhile, Mani, a mayor aspirant from Dhaka North City Corporation, has begun his campaign through a press briefing at Jatiya Press Club this morning.

"He will make the capital city safe and dynamic, if elected," he said.

Mahi, the son of former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, also said that he wants BNP's support if the party does not find any of its own candidates to run the race.

He will come up with his public electoral manifesto on April 13.

The election campaign for Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations began yesterday. The campaign will continue till April 26 midnight as voting will start at 8:00am on April 28.