Verdict, protest rally today

BNP leader Ishraque Hossain's supporters have announced a fresh protest rally for today to press for his swearing-in as mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

Retired senior secretary Mashiur Rahman announced the programme during their sit-in in front of Nagar Bhaban in the capital on Tuesday. The protest rally will begin at 10:00 am.

Mashiur threatened to announce a tougher programme if Ishraque is not sworn in as mayor by this time.

Meanwhile, different DSCC employee unions have threatened that all types of citizen services will be kept stopped if Ishraque is not sworn in as mayor by 10:00 am today.

They gave the ultimatum while expressing solidarity with the movement of the BNP supporters in front of Nagar Bhaban.

Ishraque's supporters criticised the interim government for preventing him from assuming office though a court gave order in his favour.

BNP activists and supporters joined the protest programme, causing serious traffic disruption in Bangabazar and Gulistan areas.

They shouted slogans against Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan for his statement about Ishraque's oath.

As the office of the Local Government Department is located in Nagar Bhaban, the adviser could not enter the office amid the blockade.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said in a programme that the government is not allowing Ishraque Hossain to become mayor by force.

"What is Ishraque's fault if Shahadat Hossain can become mayor of Chattogram according to the court verdict?"

Meanwhile, UNB adds, the HC has fixed today (Wednesday) for delivering its judgment on the writ petition seeking suspension of the Election Commission's gazette notification that declared BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

The HC bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury fixed the date after hearing the writ petition on Tuesday.

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