Filing nomination papers on Sunday, the last day to be in the race, the Awami League-backed businessman Annisul Huq said he was not a party candidate but has support of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Huq is a former president of business body FBCCI.

Though the ruling Awami League chief Hasina has asked supporters to work for the chosen candidates, former MP and actress Sarah Begum Kabori has thrown her hat in the ring.

Another former FBCCI chief and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo is also vying for the post.

His son Tabith Mohammed Awal, vice president of Bangladesh Football Federation, filed his form too.

The forms will be screened on Apr 1 and 2. The last date to withdraw nominations is Apr 9.

Returning Officer Shah Alam said 21 aspirants submitted forms for the non-partisan local government election.

“Every candidate is equal to me. I’ll treat everyone in the same way. No one will be spared if he or she violates the code of conduct,” he said.

No other leader of the Awami League and BNP submitted nomination form for Dhaka North mayor’s post.

But Chowdhury Irad Ahmed Siddiky, son of BNP’s expelled leader Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiky, and Bikalpadhara Bangladesh’s Mahi B Chowdhury have submitted nomination papers.

Bikalpadhara is not a part of the BNP-led 20-Party alliance but is close to the party. Its chief AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury was president of Bangladesh during the 2001-6 tenure of BNP.

Jatiya Party-backed Bahauddin Ahmed Babul has submitted the papers. He is a presidium member of the party.

Its Chairman HM Ershad expelled his adviser Boby Hajjaj for contesting the polls to the Dhaka North City Corporation without his consent.

Boby is the son of business tycoon Musa Bin Shamser.

The Communist Party of Bangladesh is backing Juba Union President Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan.

JaSaD leader actor-politician Nader Chowdhury and Ganasanghati Andolan Coordinator Zonayed Saki are also fighting for the top office.

The other candidates enjoying political backing are Islami Shashantantra Andolan’s Sheikh Mohammad Fazle Bari Masud, Sheikh Shahiduzzman from Nazmul Huda-led BNA, BNF’s AYM Kamrul Islam and Jatiya Swadhinata Party’s Moazzem Hossain Khan Majlish.

The independent candidates who submitted nomination papers are Nayeem Hasan, Kazi Mohammad Shahidullah, Anisuzzman Khokan, Shamsul Alam Chowdhury, Zaman Bhuyian and Mostafa Kamal Azadi.

Awami League leader Ekhlas Uddin Molla and Nagorik Oikya’s Mahmudur Rahman Manna collected the forms but did not submit.

Dhaka South City Corporation mayor aspirants