Mahi, Mirza Abbas\\\' wife start campaigning

Bikalpa Dhara-backed mayoral candidate for the upcoming Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) polls Mahi B Chowdhury launched his election campaign on Wednesday with a promise to build a 'safe, vibrant and enlightened' Dhaka,  report agencies.
Mahi came up with the commitment at a press conference at the National Press Club where he formally kicked off his electioneering for the mayoral race, slated for April 28.
Asked about the much-speculated chance of his getting the support of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, he said, "I didn't have any formal talks with Khaleda Zia or Tarique Rahman on the issue."
He, however, noted that he still expects BNP to back him in the mayoral race. "I believe in nationalist ideology and was brought up believing in it. I respect Bangabandhu, while at the same time Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman is my political ideology and conscience," he said.
The mayoral candidate also termed him a candidate of 'the generation' and hoped for unity among people on some common issues.
"As I'm contesting the election being a representative of the generation, the two leaders (Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia) are like mothers to us; and definitely I would seek support from them. I seek support from all," he said.
He also vowed to continue his fight against corruption.
Mahi B Chowdhury is expected to make his manifesto public for the mayoral race on April 13.
Mirza Abbas, a mayor hopeful for the Dhaka South City Corporation, is yet to be seen in public but his wife Afroza Abbas has started campaigning for him.
Flanked by BNP activists on Wednesday, Afroza was seen in a public relations endeavour at Dhaka's Khilgaon area.
She is set to campaign in Basabo, Madartek, Dhaka Medical College and Shahbagh area.
BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, who is named in several cases including vandalism, has not been seen in public for the last few months.
A total of four BNP leaders are in the race for mayor of Dhaka South.
The others are the party's Financial Affairs Secretary Abdus Salam, International Affairs Secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon and one Kazi Abul Bashar, who is also involved with the BNP.
But the BNP has endorsed Abbas as its candidate for the South.