BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said Tabith Awal, nominated by their party to contest the by-polls to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayoral post, is also the candidate of the 20-party alliance.

‘Our party has nominated Tabith Awal. He’ll also be the candidate of the 20-party alliance in the by-polls,’ he said.

Rizvi came up with the announcement at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office amid the election campaign by one of the 20-party alliance members Jamaat leader Selimuddin.

He said though the Jamaat leader has been out on campaign there is no doubt that Tabith is the 20-party’s candidate. ‘What I’m saying is based on facts.’

The BNP leader said their party believes that the 20-party mayoral candidate will win the by-polls with a big margin if the Election Commission (EC) becomes sincere about holding a credible and neutral election.

He called upon the leaders and activists of BNP and the 20-party alliance to work for ensuring the victory of Tabith in the polls billed for February 26.

On Monday night, BNP nomination board picked Tabith Awal as its candidate for the by-poll after interviewing the party nomination seekers at BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office.

Rizvi alleged that though the EC announced the schedule for the by-polls, no sign is still insight in the DNCC areas for creating a congenial atmosphere.

He urged the Commission to take steps for creating a level-playing field and equal scope for all parties to hold political programmes for the sake of an acceptable election.