Gazipur: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday formally extended its support to BNP’s mayoral candidate Hasanuddin Sarker in the Gazipur city polls billed for May 15.

Islamist party’s mayoral candidate and its Gazipur city unit ameer SM Sanaullah withdrew his candidature in the morning.

Later, he along with his party leaders and activists went to Sarker’s Tongi residence and presented him with a bunch of ‘sheaf of paddy’ extending his party’s support.

Gazipur city unit Jamaat secretary M Khairul Hasan said Sanaullah filed an application to the returning officer around 10 am seeking withdrawal of his candidature.

He said Sanaullah stayed out of the race as per the decision of their party high-ups to ensure the victory of the mayoral runner supported by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Meanwhile, Awami League-backed local freedom fighters also extended their support on the same day to the ruling party mayoral runner Zahangir Alam.

The leaders of the Gazipur city Muktijoddha Sangsad also exchanged views with the Awami League candidate at his house around 11:30am.