Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party-blessed mayoral candidates are going to contest the elections to Dhaka North and South City Corporations under a new platform titled ‘Bas Joggya Dhaka Chai’ (want liveable Dhaka)  instead of Shoto Nagorik Committee one.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will endorse the new platform, formed comprising different professionals and intellectuals, on Saturday after discussions with party senior leaders, a BNP leader close to Khaleda told UNB on Friday wishing anonymity.

Earlier, the party-backed candidates were to vie for the mayoral posts in the two cities under the banner of ‘Shoto Nagorik Committee’, a platform of pro-BNP intellectuals, led by former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Emajuddin Ahmed.

BNP insiders said the party chairperson decided to rename the platform following a strong opposition by pro-BNP professional leaders of Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad led by journalist leader Ruhul Amin Gazi.

Following Khaleda’s direction, ‘Bas Joggya Dhaka Chai’ platform has been formed with both intellectual and professional leaders making Prof Emajuddin its convener.

‘We’ve constituted a new committee at Madam’s (Khaleda’s) directives and Prof Emajuddin will lead it,’ said BNP standing committee member Hannan Shah.

He, however, declined to elaborate it.

The Bas Joggya Dhaka Chai platform might have a 1001-member committee to work in favour of BNP-backed frontrunners in the two Dhaka city corporation elections, the source added.

Earlier in the day, Prof Emajuddin at a discussion at National Press Club said people from all professions should be involved with the Shoto Nagorik Committee. ‘A 501-member special committee was formed in Chittagong. In Dhaka, a 1001-member committee has to be constituted, if necessary.’