Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud has criticised the ongoing protests at Nagar Bhaban, labelling the movement to hand over mayoral responsibilities to BNP-backed Ishraque Hossain as a “forceful attempt to take control” of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) headquarters.
In a Facebook post published on Monday afternoon, Asif said, “By locking the gates of Nagar Bhaban and protesting, the BNP is deliberately misinterpreting the court verdict and causing unnecessary public suffering.”
The statement comes amid continued demonstrations by supporters of Ishraque, who have been staging sit-ins and protests at Nagar Bhaban over the past several days. Protesters have blocked the main entrance to the DSCC building, demanding that Ishraque be sworn in as mayor immediately, following a recent court verdict in his favour.
Asif asserted that there are at least ten unresolved legal and administrative complications regarding Ishraque’s assumption of office. “Without resolving these issues, it is not legally or administratively feasible for him to take over,” he said.
He further claimed that the Election Commission’s tribunal ruling violated a previous High Court judgement.
“The tribunal’s decision defied an earlier High Court verdict. Additionally, there are procedural flaws — such as the one-sided nature of the Commission’s ruling, the late-night gazette notification issued at 10pm, the exclusion of the Local Government Division from the legal proceedings, and an ongoing writ petition that is still under judicial consideration,” he added.
Asif also questioned the clarity of Ishraque’s tenure and period of responsibility, referring to a conflicting judgement in a similar case involving the Barisal City Corporation.
“The tribunal’s stance is questionable, especially when different verdicts have emerged in similar contexts,” he noted.
He argued that the move to shut down Nagar Bhaban and mount political pressure, without resolving core legal issues, was an irresponsible act designed solely to create unrest. “This is more about creating political pressure than following due process,” he said.
The BNP and its leaders have long alleged irregularities in the DSCC elections. Ishraque, the BNP mayoral candidate for Dhaka South in the 2020 city polls, challenged the results, claiming vote rigging and misconduct. A recent Election Commission tribunal ruled in his favour, triggering fresh demands from the BNP for the immediate handover of the mayoral post.
Supporters have intensified their protests over the past few days, holding daily rallies, chanting slogans, and demanding an immediate oath-taking ceremony.
The situation has disrupted the day-to-day functions at DSCC, with several public services stalled and employees unable to enter the building due to the protest barricades.
Asif concluded his statement by saying that the Ministry of Law has been consulted for a legal opinion on the matter, suggesting that the government does not intend to proceed without comprehensive legal clarity.
“If the past controversial elections during the Awami League tenure were accepted as legal, such complications would not have emerged,” he remarked.