As discussions intensify over the timing of city corporation polls, several senior and mid-level leaders of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have emerged as potential candidates for the mayoral races in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
Although the government has yet to announce an election schedule, party insiders say preparations are already underway within BNP, with multiple leaders expressing interest in contesting -- some publicly declaring their candidacy and others awaiting signals from the party high command.
However, the government has appointed administrators to six city corporations, including Dhaka North and Dhaka South.
All six appointees are BNP leaders, a move that has drawn sharp objections from several political parties, notably the main opposition in parliament, Bangladesh Jamaat‑e‑Islami.
Opposition leaders have demanded that the appointments be revoked and have called for immediate elections to the city corporations.
Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (LGRD) Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has announced that elections to the country’s city corporations will be held in phases as their terms expire.
Priority will be given to the two Dhaka city corporations and the Chittagong City Corporation.
He further said that the decision on whether city corporation elections will be conducted under party symbols will be taken in parliament.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC)
At least three prominent BNP figures are being discussed for the DSCC mayoral race.
Abdus Salam, a senior politician and member of the BNP chairman’s advisory council, is among the most prominent names.
He has already been appointed administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation.
Previously, he served as convener of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP and chief coordinator of the Election campaign Committee for BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman in the 13th parliamentary election.
Salam has expressed willingness to contest the election if nominated.
“I will contest if the party chairman nominates me. I have experience working as acting mayor in the past and have long been involved in Dhaka’s politics. I hope to ensure better civic services using that experience,” he said.
Another strong contender is Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, BNP joint secretary general and former president of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP.
A long-time political figure, Sohel has faced numerous political cases throughout his career.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, he said the party’s decision would be final.
“The party’s decision is the ultimate one. Whoever the party nominates will be accepted,” he said.
Ishraq Hossain, currently serving as state minister for Liberation War Affairs, has also announced his intention to run for DSCC mayor.
He was elected as a Member of Parliament from Dhaka-6 in the 13th parliamentary election with BNP’s nomination.
Earlier, in the 2020 city corporation elections, he contested as the BNP candidate for mayor from Dhaka South City Corporation.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC)
In Dhaka North, several BNP leaders are similarly being discussed as potential mayoral candidates.
Tabith Awal, a member of BNP’s Executive Committee, is among the frontrunners. He was the party’s mayoral candidate in the DNCC election held on January 30, 2020.
Regarding his possible candidacy, Tabith said: “I have my own plan for the capital. The people know I was defeated on the last night due to vote rigging in the previous election. If the party high command nominates me this time, I will contest.”
“I want to fulfill the expectations of the people of the capital by being elected mayor.”
Another name under discussion is Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, vice-president of Jubo Dal’s central committee.
He previously served as member secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo Dal and has recently been appointed administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation.
He was also BNP’s candidate for Dhaka-15 in the 13th parliamentary elections.
Milton’s appointment as DNCC administrator has further fueled speculation about his potential mayoral bid.
MA Qayyum, BNP’s central committee Microfinance Affairs secretary, is also being discussed within party circles.
A former president of Dhaka North BNP, he is seen by grassroots leaders as a possible contender for the mayoral nomination.
Nomination yet to be finalized
Despite growing speculation, BNP leaders say no final decision has been made regarding nominations.
BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said discussions on candidates have not formally begun.
“There has been no discussion yet on who will be nominated. The party’s decision is the main one, and the party will nominate the person it chooses,” he said.
Mirza Abbas, member of the BNP Standing Committee and adviser to chairman Tarique Rahman, said the party would decide on candidates once the election schedule is announced.
“After the election schedule is declared, we will discuss the matter in the party forum led by Tarique Rahman. BNP will determine its mayoral candidates based on those discussions,” he said.
With elections expected to be held in phases after the expiry of the current terms, attention within BNP now centers on which of these leaders will ultimately receive the party’s nomination for the two most high-profile local government posts in the country.
