Khulna: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)’s mayoral candidate of Khulna City Corporation Nazrul Islam Manju refrained from electioneering since Thursday morning protesting the arrest of 19 leaders and activists of the party.

Manju also threatened that he will not resume his election campaign until the detainees are released.

On Wednesday night, law enforcers arrested 19 leaders and activists of BNP, including its city unit publicity affairs secretary Asaduzzaman Murad, Jubo Dal president Mahbub Hossain, district unit president Mostafaul Bari Lavlu and district unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatral Dal general secretary Golam Mostafa Tuhin from different parts of the city.

Contacted, Manju told UNB over phone that he refrained from his election campaign protesting the incident.

He alleged that the law enforcers were trying to terrorise BNP leaders and activists to keep them away from election campaign. ‘They’re also raiding the houses of our party leaders and activists and harassing them.’

The BNP mayoral candidate also claimed that Awami League men are violating the election code of conduct but the Election Commission does not pay heed to his allegation in this regard.

He also demanded the authorities concerned create a level-playing field and stop intimidating his party men.

Khulna City Corporation election is scheduled to be held on May 15. A total of five mayor candidates, 148 general councilor and 38 reserved-seat female councilor candidates are there in the election race.