Ishraque supporters launch continuous sit-in protest at Nagar Bhaban
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Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain have launched a continuous sit-in programme at Nagar Bhaban, demanding that he be handed the mayoral office of the Dhaka South City Corporation.
The protest began at 10:00 am on Tuesday.
Since the protests began on May 14, the Nagar Bhaban -- the seat of the DSCC offices -- has become practically non-functional. No official work is being carried out there, causing suffering to those seeking services.
Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain is also unable to attend his office as the Local Government Division is currently working out of the Nagar Bhaban.
From 10:00 am on Tuesday, small groups of Ishraque’s Dhaka supporters began gathering outside the Nagar Bhaban, chanting slogans demanding that Ishraque be given the mayoral responsibilities and denouncing Local Government Advisor Asif for the delay.
Traffic was brought to a halt from Bangabazar to the Golap Shah Mazar in Gulistan by the programme.
Adilur Rahman, a businessman from Lalbagh, said: “Ishraque was defeated in the election through a conspiracy. Now the court has declared him mayor, we want to see him in the mayor’s chair, even if it’s just for the remainder of the term”
On Monday, former secretary Mashiur Rahman announced the start of the continuous sit-in as part of a series of programmes demanding that Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh be replaced by Ishraque.
At the time, he said, “The programme will continue until the demand is fulfilled. Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud’s recent statement on Ishraque Hossain becoming mayor is utterly false. If the demand is not met [by Wednesday], the government will have to bear the consequences. Everyone must be prepared for any situation.”
Supporters of Ishraque—the son of the late mayor of undivided Dhaka City Corporation Sadeque Hossain Khoka—have been demonstrating since Wednesday to push for his swearing in as mayor.
Since then, the DSCC Nagar Bhaban has remained practically inactive.
On Saturday, the protesters marched towards the Secretariat in a renewed push.
Following the demonstration, they declared Local Government Advisor Asif “unwelcome” at Nagar Bhaban.
Since a fire damaged the Secretariat in December, official work of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives is being conducted out of the city corporation building.
On Saturday, Ishraque sent a letter to the Local Government Division requesting the necessary steps for his swearing-in as DSCC mayor.
Later at a press conference, a journalist asked Ishraque if he had any personal conflict with the local government advisor.
He replied, “I have no personal conflict or personal relationship with the local government or any other advisor.”
At an event in Dhaka on Monday, Asif told the media that the interim government was facing several legal complications in paving the way for Ishraque’s swearing-in as DSCC mayor, adding no decision could be made until these issues were resolved.
Ishraque lost the DSCC election on Feb 1, 2020, to Awami League’s Taposh by nearly 200,000 votes.
But on Mar 27 this year, Judge Md Nurul Islam of the Dhaka Election Tribunal overturned the result and declared Ishraque mayor.
The Election Commission (EC) issued a gazette on Apr 27 naming him mayor, but he has yet to take the oath.
At Saturday’s press conference, Ishraque was asked whether he holds any political party responsible for the delay in oath-taking.
He responded, “I am not blaming any political party, individual, or government. We are simply seeking a resolution.”
His lawyer Nurul Islam Zahid told bdnews24.com, "A lawyer has submitted a petition to the High Court seeking a stay on administering the oath to Ishraque Hossain. The hearing for that is scheduled at 1pm [on Tuesday]. We are going there."