The BNP nominated mayoral candidate of Satkania municipality yesterday announced his withdrawal from the poll-race facing intimidation and fearing arrest. Hazi Rafiqual Islam, also the president of Satkania Upazila BNP, in a press briefing held at Prabartak circle in Chittagong city declared an end to his poll campaign and decided to quit the mayoral polls. “I am compelled to withdraw from the election facing pressure from ruling party leaders, and after being threatened that I and my activists would be harassed by implicating us in false cases,” he alleged. “A case was lodged against me with the city’s Kowtali Police Station on December 24,” said Islam. This is the first incident that a BNP nominated mayoral candidate has announced to quit the upcoming December 30 municipal polls.