Shariatpur: An Independent mayor aspirant for Bhedorganj municipality of Shariatpur has withdrawn his nomination paper.

Abul Bashar Chokdar, Bhedorganj upazila Awami League finance secretary, withdrew his nomination paper on Sunday.

But his family alleged that he has been forced to quit the mayoral race.

Local sources said Abul Bashar submitted nomination paper as an independent candidate as Upazila Awami League Joint general secretary Abdul Mannan Hawladar got the nomination from Awami League.

Family members said DB police and local Awami League lawmaker Nahim Razzak took Bashar to Shariatpur deputy commissioner’s office.

After coming out of the office at about 12:00noon, Bashar, with tears, said, ‘I have withdrawn my nomination paper. I cannot tell anything more.’

Bashar’s brother Jakir Hossain said, ‘Lawmaker directed police to pick up my brother. He (lawmaker) took Bashar to the DC office and forced him to withdraw his nomination paper.’

District Awami League general secretary Anal Kumar Dey said, ‘Abul Bashar withdrew nomination paper showing obedience to the party. I don’t know how he was taken to the DC office.’

DB inspector Subrata Saha said, ‘DB members did not pick up any one. The allegation is baseless. DB members were deployed in front of the DC office for the security of the lawmaker as he came to the DC office.’

However, lawmaker Nahim Razzak denied talking on the issue.

Bhedorganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer, also the returning officer of Bhedorganj municipal elections Sohail Ahmed said, ‘One Abdul Gani submitted a letter of Bashar’s nomination cancellation. After talking with Bashar over phone we have confirmed that it is his letter.’