Ishraque supporters stage sit-in for 4th day

Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain stage a sit-in in front of Nagar Bhaban in the city on Sunday, demanding that he be sworn in as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. — FE Photo

Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain staged sit-in for the fourth consecutive day, on Sunday, demanding handover of the responsibilities of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayor to him.

The protest began in front of the DSCC Nagar Bhaban (City Hall) in the capital at 9:00 am. The Ishraque supporters from different wards of DSCC gathered in front of the building, carrying banners reading: "City Hall Blockade - organised by general voters of Dhaka and city residents."

Due to the ongoing demonstration, vehicular movements on both sides of the road from Gulistan Mazar towards Bangabazar came to a complete halt, forcing the commuters to reach their destinations on foot.

On March 27, Dhaka's First Joint District Judge and Electoral Tribunal declared Ishraque Hossain as the DSCC mayor. Following the verdict, the Election Commission (EC) issued an official gazette on April 27, declaring Ishraque as the mayor.

However, no steps have been taken so far to administer his oath or to hand over the mayoral responsibilities to him. As a result, his supporters began their protest on Wednesday, May 14, demanding reinstatement of Isharaque Hossain as the DSCC mayor.

They alleged that in the 2020 election, people had voted Ishraque into the office, but the result was manipulated and he was defeated. The supporters accused the Ministry of Local Government of deliberately delaying Ishraque's oath-taking and formal handover of responsibilities, although the court reinstated him as the mayor.

Ishraque Hossain, a member of BNP's International Affairs Committee, is the son of late BNP leader and former mayor of the undivided Dhaka City Corporation, Sadeque Hossain Khoka.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com