Contestants catch Pahela Baishakh crowd in Dhaka

Mayoral and councillor aspirants for the Dhaka city election got into the crowds of Pahela Baishakh revellers at different places on Tuesday and talked about their electoral pledges.

Candidates had been seen at the venues since the morning when thousands started thronging the places to welcome Bangla New Year 1422 in festivity.

Awami League-backed mayoral candidate in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sayeed Khokan started his day at Ramna Batamul around 7:00am and exchanged greetings with people. Later, he attended another programme at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

He also joined the traditional Mongol Shobhajatra at Dhaka University and another procession of Dhaka city AL, from Bahadur Shah Park to Bangabandhu Avenue.

Yesterday, Khokon started off from Viqarunnisa Noon School before campaigning in Dhaka University and Dhanmondi areas.

In addition to visiting Shukrabad, Kalabagan, Panthapath, and Rajabazar on Tuesday, Afroza Abbas, wife of BNP-backed mayoral hopeful in DSCC Mirza Abbas, joined the Pahela Baishakh celebrations at Rabindra Sarobar.

On a tour of Palashi, Azimpur and Kamrangirchar yesterday, Afroza alleged that she was facing obstacles and threats from several quarters for campaigning.

Jatiya Party-supported candidate for DSCC Saifuddin Milon started his campaign on Pahela Baishakh through joining the celebrations at Lalbagh Fort.

Attending the New Year festivities at party's Nayapaltan office, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia sought votes for party-blessed contenders Abbas and Tabith Awal.

AL-backed mayoral hopeful for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Annisul Huq started the first day of Bangla New Year by joining the revellers at Chandrima Uddyan before attending a programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Later he visited Korail slum.

Yesterday, Annisul campaigned in Banasree Model School, east Rampura, Khilgaon, Hazipara and Chowdhury Para of Malibagh, Ibrahimpur, Uttara areas and met Jubo League leaders.

His rival Tabith Awal started off by joining the Pahela Baishakh celebrations at Gulshan Park.

Another candidate in the north Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan, backed by CPB-BSD, exchanged greetings with people at Ramna, Shahbagh, DU and Rabindra Sarobar.

Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh-blessed candidate for DNCC Mahi B Chowdhury attended a Baishakhi fair at Banani Society Field.

 EC'S BRIEFING

Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz, during a press briefing yesterday, cautioned that candidacies of mayoral and councillors aspirants in both Dhaka and Chittagong cities will be cancelled if they bring out procession violating the electoral code of conduct.

ANNISUL'S SUPPORTERS WARNED

Dhaka metropolitan executive magistrates yesterday warned some supporters of Annisul Huq for violating the electoral code by using loudspeakers before 2:00pm at Mirpur. As per rules, loudspeakers can be used only between 2:00pm and 9:00pm.

Besides, four councillor aspirants in Dhaka south were fined a total of Tk 20,000 for different types of violation.