NCP weighs Dhaka mayor nominations as Asif, Adeeb in spotlight

Two leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have emerged as potential mayoral candidates for the upcoming Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporation elections. They are the party’s spokesperson, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, and Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb. A preliminary decision regarding their candidacies was made during internal party discussions.

Several top NCP leaders confirmed the matter to Jago News on Sunday night (February 22).

Speaking to Jago News on condition of anonymity, a senior central leader of the party said that a preliminary decision had been taken to nominate Asif Mahmud for Dhaka South City Corporation and Ariful Islam for Dhaka North City Corporation. However, the party plans to contest the election as part of an 11-party alliance. As a result, it may not be possible for the NCP to field candidates in both city corporations. The final decision on which party will nominate candidates in each city will be taken at a meeting of the alliance. All discussions are currently at a preliminary stage.

According to party sources, there had earlier been speculation that Asif Mahmud would contest from the Dhaka-10 constituency in the 13th national parliamentary elections. He had even transferred his voter registration from Cumilla to Dhaka-10 for that purpose. However, he ultimately did not participate in the election and instead joined the NCP, taking up the role of party spokesperson. He later served as chairman of the party’s election management committee.

On the other hand, Adeeb contested the parliamentary election from the Dhaka-18 constituency as a candidate of the 11-party alliance. He was defeated in the election by the BNP candidate.