The BNP is searching for competent and loyal candidates for backing in the upcoming elections to the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations.

The party, however, is yet to announce whether it will endorse any candidates in the three city polls.

"Though the party is yet to make any announcement on backing candidates in city polls, its main focus now is to find heavyweight and trusted ones. That is why madam [Khaleda Zia] is making delay in endorsing candidates," said a BNP leader, who has been staying at Khaleda's Gulshan office since January 3.

"Since the chief is convinced that the party should back candidates in the city polls, our main target is to ensure victory for the party-backed ones to prove that the government has no popularity. It will help intensify our ongoing anti-government movement," the BNP leader told The Daily Star.

A member of the BNP standing committee last night told this correspondent that the party is looking for suitable, dedicated and loyal candidates, who have a strong possibility of winning the polls.

The BNP chairperson wants to be sure that the government and the Election Commission are sincere in holding free and fair elections in Dhaka North and South, and Chittagong city corporations scheduled for April 28.  

Once the party picks competent candidates, BNP high-ups will press the EC to make arrangements for deploying army in the elections, said a senior party leader.

A BNP delegation is likely to visit the EC to discuss a number of issues that include inviting foreign observers to monitor the city polls and giving bail to detained party leaders who are prospective candidates, said party insiders.

"Madam [Khaleda] wants that the authorities create a level-playing field in the local body elections," said a party source.

According to the polls schedule, all mayoral and councillor aspirants have to file nominations papers by March 29. It means the BNP has six days to pick candidates of its choice.

Sources close to Khaleda said she has chosen her adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo as mayoral candidate in Dhaka North.

"But she [Khaleda] is in a dilemma over selecting a mayoral candidate in Dhaka South, as the party leader of her choice, Mirza Abbas, is facing a number of cases," said another party source.

"Madam has asked a team of senior BNP leaders, which includes Nazrul Islam Khan and Khandaker Muhbub Hossain, to find a competent and trusted candidate in Dhaka South."

She has also sought suggestions from senior party leaders and former Dhaka city mayors Sadeque Hossain Khoka and Mirza Abbas.

Over the last three days, Khaleda called her adviser and Chittagong city BNP President Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury at least twice, asking him to contest for the mayoral post in the Chittagong City Corporation elections.

At first, he agreed but later changed his mind, said sources close to Khasru.

If Khasru decides not to contest the CCC polls, Khaleda might pick existing mayor M Manjur Alam, also her adviser, as mayoral candidate.

The BNP chairperson has assigned three teams to select a single councillor candidate in every ward of the three city corporations, said party sources.