Despite not having been formally sworn in, BNP leader Ishraque Hossain conducted a meeting at the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) headquarters, where his nameplate bore the title “Honourable Mayor.”
This move underscores his claim to the mayoral position following a court ruling that annulled the 2020 election results and declared him the rightful mayor.
On Monday afternoon, Ishraque engaged with officials from the Waste Management Department at the Nagar Bhaban.
When questioned by journalists about the “Honourable Mayor” designation on the meeting banner, he asserted that such titles are customary and reflect public demand.
He further emphasized that the Election Commission had officially declared him the DSCC mayor through a gazette notification.
During the meeting, Ishraque directed officials to intensify efforts to combat the ongoing dengue outbreak, instructing them to maintain the mosquito control program and hold regular meetings with various departments. He also announced plans to meet with secretaries of each ward to streamline administrative services, including birth and death registrations.
Ishraque criticized the interim government’s refusal to allow him to assume office, attributing the delay to political motives aimed at undermining the opposition’s influence. He accused the government of establishing a parallel administration and alleged corruption within the current DSCC leadership.
Supporters of Ishraque have been staging protests at the Nagar Bhaban, demanding his immediate swearing-in. They argue that despite two court rulings in his favor, bureaucratic delays are preventing the formal transfer of power.
The Election Commission issued a gazette notification on April 27, 2025, declaring Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of DSCC, following a court decision that annulled the 2020 election results.
As the situation develops, the legitimacy of the current administration and the enforcement of the court’s decision remain subjects of intense political debate.