Dhaka North City Mayor Atiqul Islam has stepped down from office as a prerequisite to contest the upcoming election.
"I have forwarded my resignation to the local government ministry as the law requires leaving office before taking part in the polls," Atiqul told Bangla Tribune around 4pm on Monday (Dec 30).
On his last day in office, Atiqul held a meeting with councillors and city corporation officials.
Atiqul retaining his right to stay in the mayoral race slated for Jan 30 as the ruling Awami League announced him as the party's candidate on Sunday (29).
After the city corporation was split, an election was held in 2015 and Annisul Huq was elected as Dhaka North mayor and Sayeed Khokon in Dhaka South.
Atiqul was elected in the 2019 by-election following the death of Huq amid a boycott by the BNP and other parties.
Khokon, however, has been left out the race as the ruling party gave its ticket for the South City mayor polls to Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.