BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday warned that a larger political movement may be launched if the interim government fails to arrange the swearing-in of Ishraque Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) within a day or two.
Salahuddin was addressing the opening event of the BNP’s membership renewal and fresh enrolment campaign for Sylhet division, held at the Sylhet Shilpakala Academy auditorium.
Referring to an ongoing protest in front of Nagar Bhaban, the DSCC headquarters, in Dhaka, Salahuddin said: “I urge the authorities to take immediate steps—within today or tomorrow—to arrange the swearing-in of Engineer Ishraque Hossain, declared the mayor of DSCC by a court.”
“If this is not done, the protests in Dhaka may evolve into a broader movement,” he warned.
Salahuddin criticized the authorities for delaying the swearing-in despite the Election Tribunal's ruling and gazette notification by the Election Commission confirming Ishraque’s mayoral status.
“When someone is declared mayor by court order and gazetted by the Election Commission, and yet you refuse to administer the oath of office and are using various tactics to delay it—is this the rule of law?" he asked.
Addressing the chief adviser, Salahuddin added: “Prof Yunus and your young adviser in charge of the Local Government Ministry seem to believe they are above the law, that they do not have to follow court orders or even accept the Election Commission’s gazette.
“We have always cooperated with you. We remain committed to supporting this government, but that does not mean we have signed a blank cheque to endorse everything you do.”
