Dhaka: Awami League joint secretary general Mahbubul Alam Hanif said that BNP-backed candidates pulled out of the race as they knew about their sure defeat in city corporation elections.

Mahbubul Alam made the remark in a press briefing held at Awami League president’s office at Dhanmondi in the capital at about 1:30pm on Tuesday.

Earlier, at about 12:30noon, BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed declared that the party-backed candidates boycott the city election in Dhaka South, North and Chittagong cities. However, BNP-blessed Chittagong mayoral candidate Manzur Alam stepped back from the election and announced to quit politics.

Awami leader Abdur Razzak in another briefing at Bangabandhu Avenue at about 2:00pm said BNP is turning the table on others. They boycott the polls to conceal their shame.’