Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) remains virtually non-functional as supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain resumed their sit-in protest after the Eid break.
On Sunday, Ishraque returned to Nagar Bhaban, declaring the continuation of his movement. While sustaining the protest, he also announced that essential services would operate under his supervision to mitigate public inconvenience.
Employees demanding Ishraque’s appointment as mayor have blocked access to Nagar Bhaban, maintaining their barricade. Supporters, including DSCC staff, gathered Sunday morning, with Ishraque arriving at around 11am.
Addressing them, Ishraque asserted, “I am the constitutional and elected mayor—not by force, but by people’s votes. The government will face legal consequences for violating the constitution. Our protest is now non-stop; retreat is not an option. Only this can fulfill public expectations.”
Urging the government, he said, “Resolve this swiftly to end the deadlock. Otherwise, DSCC’s crisis will persist. Daily services—birth registrations, utilities—will run under our oversight, but development work remains halted. The locked main gate symbolises our protest.”
Accusing the adviser to the Ministry of Local Government of constitutional violations, Ishraque demanded the chief adviser’s direct intervention: “We respect the law and believe in due process. The court’s verdict upholds the people’s mandate—accept it.”
Protesters chanted slogans like “We demand Ishraque’s oath!” and “No tolerance for mayor delays!”
The DSCC election on February 1, 2020, declared Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh winner. Subsequently, on March 3 of the same year, Ishraque filed a lawsuit, alleging fraud.
After the AL government’s ousting last August, an electoral tribunal nullified Taposh’s victory on March 27 this year, declaring Ishraq mayor. The Election Commission gazetted his appointment on April 27.
However, a writ petition on May 14 sought to block his oath-taking. Citing legal complexities, the Local Government Ministry refrained from administering the oath, prompting Ishraque’s supporters to begin protests on May 15, protests which are now continuing into their second month.