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Published : 22 May 2025, 02:15 PM
Though a High Court decision has cleared the way for BNP leader Ishraque Hossain to be sworn in as the mayor for the Dhaka South City Corporation, his supporters are still taking up positions at the Matsya Bhaban intersection despite the rain.
Drenched by the downpour, they are chanting slogans calling for the resignations of two advisors to the interim government. Preparations are underway for a victory procession while carrying Ishraque’s photo.
Hundreds of protesters blocked the road at the Matsya Bhaban intersection, bringing traffic to a halt. The protest has led to heavy traffic congestion in the Shegun Bagicha, Paltan, National Press Club Road, Doel Chattar, Bijoynagar Road, Topkhana Road, and the different streets and alleys in the area.
Leaders and activists came together in support of Ishraque under the banner of “Dhakaites”. Many held BNP party flags or had festoons with pro-Ishraque slogans. Abdur Rahman, a resident of Sutrapur, said: “I came at 8am. The High Court has delivered its verdict. We are happy.
"The court has respected the people's voting rights. However, our other demand, the resignation of two advisors (Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Information Advisor Mahfuj Alam), has not been implemented yet. These partisan advisors must resign."
Javed Ali, who came from Swamibagh, said: “The entire government is embroiled in controversy because of two advisors to the interim government. You all know who they are. I don’t want to name them.
“The chief advisor should take note of the issue and take action immediately. If he remains silent on this issue, he too will become embroiled in controversy.”
The protesters are chanting slogans that say, “Where have Asif and Mahfuj gone?”
Ishraque lost the DSCC election on Feb 1, 2020, to Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor 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 his oath.
On 14 May, Supreme Court lawyer and Dhaka South resident Md Mamunur Rashid filed the writ plea, seeking to bar the swearing-in. The local government ministry has refrained from organising Ishraque’s swearing-in, arguing that the petition complicates the decision.
Meanwhile, Ishraque’s supporters have effectively brought activities at Nagar Bhaban to a standstill for over a week, demanding his immediate swearing-in.
While the High Court hearing was ongoing on Wednesday, protests continued in the capital’s Kakrail and Matsya Bhaban areas.
In response to the pro-Ishraque demonstrations, the National Citizen Party (NCP) held a rally outside Election Bhaban, calling for the Election Commission's reconstitution and local government elections. They accused the commission of partiality in publishing the gazette in favour of Ishraque.
Dismissing the allegation, the EC said that the NCP's claim is "politically motivated" and there is no precedent of the EC being a part of an electoral tribunal’s verdict.
Ishraque expressed his anger over the delay in his swearing in, eventually demanding the resignations of advisors Asif Mahmud and Mahfuj in a Facebook post on Wednesday. He claimed the decision was justified due to the advisors’ links with the NCP. His supporters have echoed the demand.
