Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain began their protest by locking the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Nagar Bhaban on Sunday, leaving the building inaccessible throughout the day.
The protest began at 11am, with supporters setting up a stage in front of the building and chanting various slogans, reports Bangla Tribune.
The protesters claimed that Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, using his influence, prevented Ishraque from being sworn in as mayor.
The protesters said their demonstration would continue until their demands were met, warning that the lock on Nagar Bhaban would remain in place unless Ishraque was sworn in as mayor.
The DSCC election was held on February 1, 2020.
At the time, the ruling Awami League’s candidate, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, was declared the winner.
Alleging irregularities and corruption in the election, Ishraque filed a case on March 3, 2020, demanding that the results be annulled.
Following the fall of the Awami League government during the July uprising, the Election Tribunal on March 27 annulled the previous results and declared Ishraque as the mayor.
Subsequently, on April 27, the Election Commission published a gazette notification officially announcing Ishraque as the DSCC mayor.
However, on May 14, a writ petition was filed in the High Court to prevent him from being sworn in.
Amid this situation, Ishraque’s supporters began protesting on May 15, demanding that he be allowed to assume the duties of mayor.
Due to their protests, operations at the DSCC Nagar Bhaban have come to a standstill.
However, the Ministry of Local Government has refrained from arranging the swearing-in ceremony, citing legal complications.
Following several hearings on the writ petition, the High Court bench eventually rejected it and passed an order dismissing the plea.
