Joyful scenes unfolded in front of the state guesthouse Jamuna, the chief adviser's official residence, as supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain holding a protest there burst into celebration on Thursday following the announcement of a High Court verdict in his favour regarding his oath-taking as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
The news reached the crowd around 11:30am, prompting a wave of excitement among the demonstrators stationed there.
They expressed their happiness despite heavy rain, chanting slogans celebrating the news and also some against Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain.
Notably, the High Court dismissed a writ petition seeking to prevent BNP leader Ishraque Hossain from being sworn in as mayor of DSCC.
According to Ishraque’s legal team, there is now no legal barrier to his oath-taking.
High Court rejects petition against EC gazette declaring Ishraque DSCC mayorSupporters of Ishraque had begun their sit-in in front of the Jamuna building on Wednesday evening.
They stayed through the night, joined by Ishraque himself, who declared that he would not leave until the demand for his official recognition was fulfilled.
Demonstrations continued into Thursday morning for a second consecutive day.
Despite ongoing rain, the protesters held their ground in front of Jamuna.
Over the past week, Ishraque’s supporters had blocked various roads near Nagar Bhaban, the High Court area, and other parts of the city, demanding that he be officially declared mayor.
The Awami League's Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was elected mayor in the February 1, 2020 DSCC polls and formally assumed office following the publication of the official results on February 2.
Ishraque, a BNP leader and candidate in the same race, filed a legal challenge on March 3, 2020, alleging irregularities and corruption.
Months after the Awami League’s ousting in August 2024, the Election Tribunal ruled in Ishraque’s favour on March 27 this year, declaring his opponent’s election void and naming him the rightful winner.
The Election Commission issued a gazette notification accordingly on April 27 and wrote to the local government ministry to initiate arrangements for Ishraque’s oath-taking.
However, no action followed, prompting protests by his supporters.
