BNP leader Ishraque Hossain announced a 48-hour suspension of protests over his mayorship, following the High Court’s rejection of a petition challenging his status as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
Addressing supporters outside Kakrail mosque in the afternoon, Ishraque stated: “After reviewing the High Court’s decision, we are suspending our movement for to observe the government’s next steps. Our next steps will depend on how they proceed.”
The government would be closely monitored for prompt implementation of the court’s verdict, he added.
The announcement came hours after he had urged demonstrators to stay on the streets and intensify their protests.
The BNP leader clarified: “The verdict and the oath-taking issue are separate matters. Our primary demand — the resignation of student representatives and other officials — remains unchanged. That demand stands firm.”
The BNP leader apologised for any public inconveniences that may have been caused by the protests, which continued demanding resignations of Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam.
The petitioner alleged procedural violations, claiming the tribunal rushed its verdict and the EC bypassed mandatory Law Ministry consultation. The petitioner had argued that the tribunal overstepped its jurisdiction since the mayoral term had expired under an ordinance.
The protest began Wednesday at 10:30am, led by BNP and its associate organisations, demanding the handover of Dhaka South City Corporation’s mayoral responsibilities to Ishraq. On Thursday, demonstrators gathered at Kakrail intersection and surrounding areas, also calling for the resignations of interim government advisers Asif and Mahfuj Alam.