The BNP and its affiliated organisations staged a demonstration on Wednesday in front of Nagar Bhaban, the Dhaka South City Corporation headquarters, and blocked the Matsya Bhaban intersection after the authorities failed to respond to their ultimatum to swear in Ishraque Hossain as mayor of the city corporation.
Besides, thousands of BNP activists gathered near the entrance to the chief adviser's official residence, Jamuna, at the Kakrail intersection before noon, staging a sit-in, according to media reports. At least 20 minutes prior, police had already blocked the road leading to Jamuna.
Meanwhile, under the banner of "Bangladesh Professionals' Alliance," another group of BNP leaders and activists held a rally in front of the National Press Club.
Former secretary Mashiur Rahman, who is coordinating the ongoing protests in support of Ishraque, had set a deadline of 10am for the interim government to respond.
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon during the sixth day of their sit-in program, Mashiur said: “We will wait until 10am. If a decision is not made to hand over the mayoral duties to Ishraque Hossain, we will gather again at 10am and announce even tougher programs.”
He also warned that Dhaka could be brought to a standstill.
At that time, DSCC employee unions expressed solidarity with the movement, warning that city services will be suspended if their demand is not met.
BNP activists and those from affiliated bodies began gathering at the Matsya Bhaban intersection shortly after 10am, under the banner “Dhakabashi” (Residents of Dhaka).
By around 10:30am, when protesters occupied the intersection, all traffic movement in the area came to a halt.
By noon, when this report was filed, heavy traffic congestion had developed across the surrounding areas due to the blockade.
Mohammad Hossain, who came from Kamrangirchar, said: “Despite the court ruling, the authorities have stalled and delayed in handing over mayoral duties to Ishraque Hossain. We have been extremely patient so far. Yesterday, we gave the interim government a final ultimatum. As they failed to respond, we have now taken to the streets.”
Meanwhile, city corporation employees were taking part in the demonstration outside Nagar Bhaban.
Several of them said all the entrances to Nagar Bhaban remain padlocked.
As a result, civic services remained suspended and officials were reportedly on informal leave.
The Local Government Division, which also operates from Nagar Bhaban, has remained shut since May 14, the day the protest demanding Ishraque’s appointment began.
Since then, Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has not returned to his office.
