Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party-blessed mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Tabith Awal formally launched his electioneering in the city's Karwan Bazar on Firday, three days after his opponents began it on Tuesday.

Tabith, son of businessman Abdul Awal Mintoo, offered Jum'a prayers at Karwan Bazar Ambar Shah Mosque.

After the prayers, he along with BNP leaders and activists conducted a mass campaign in the area seeking blessings and votes from the electorate.

Talking to reporters, Tabith said, ‘I was waiting for BNP's support for me to kick off my polls campaign. As the party extended its support to me today (Friday), I've formally begun my campaign.’

He said he will make the city ideal one having international standard if he gets elected in the polls.  

‘I hope all will extend their cooperation and support to me as a candidate of Adarsha Dhaka Andolan (a platform of pro-BNP professionals),’ he added.

Tabith hoped that the Election Commission will create a level-playing field for all the candidates to ensure a fair election.

Meanwhile, DNCC polls returning officer Shah Alam allocated him bus as his polls-symbol this morning while his major rival and Awami League-backed candidate Annisul Huq was given 'Table Clock'.

Besides, Dhaka South North City Corporation elections returning office Mihir Sarwar Morshed gave ruling party-blessed mayoral contestant Sayeed Khokan Hilsa as his polls symbol while he allotted Mug to BNP-backed mayoral runner Mirza Abbas.

Afroza Abbs, who launched election campaign of Abbas on his behalf on Wednesday, conducted electioneering n in the city's Motijhleel area in the morning.

Both Afroza Abbas and Tabith Awal are scheduled to attend a doa mahfil to be held on the ground floor of BNP's Nayaplatan central office seeking salvation of the departed soul of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko after Asr prayers.

After the doa mhafil, Tabith is likely to sit with the leaders of Adarsha Dhaka Andolan in the evening to work out his polls strategy, said his personal assistant Abdullah Al Harun Sohel.