BNP forcibly shutting down Nagar Bhaban over Ishraque's mayoral oath: Adviser Asif

The BNP is forcibly shutting down Nagar Bhaban and staging protests to realise its demand for the swearing-in of Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said today (19 May).

"The oath-taking cannot proceed until the High Court resolves the matter and the legal complications are addressed. The BNP has chosen to disrupt city corporation operations by closing Nagar Bhaban forcefully rather than following due process," Asif said in a Facebook post.

BNP's ongoing protest had consequently halted daily work and caused public suffering, he added.

The post reads, "Firstly, the Election Commission Tribunal's verdict has been delivered in direct violation of a High Court ruling that declared the amendment of the petition illegal. Secondly, the verdict is considered unilateral because the Election Commission did not participate in the hearing, nor did the commission subsequently appeal the decision. Thirdly, despite seeking the opinion of the Law Ministry, the Election Commission proceeded to publish the gazette at 10pm, before receiving that opinion and simultaneously disregarding legal notices sent by two citizens."

It continues, "Fourthly, the Local Government Division was not a party to the said case, and the verdict notably omits any instructions for the division. Fifthly, a writ petition has been filed with the Local Government Department as the respondent, due to the Election Commission's failure to administer the oath, and this petition remains pending. Sixthly, in a related case concerning the Barishal City Corporation, the Tribunal took into consideration the High Court's verdict regarding the amendment of the petition and dismissed it, making the Tribunal's inconsistent two-pronged position difficult to comprehend."

The post also mentioned that a significant complication has arisen regarding the term of office; it is unclear how long the mayor will remain in power or if a defined term exists at all.

It stated that the Election Commission's own letter mentions "taking further action if there are no legal complications," clearly indicating an awareness of legal complications related to the controversial verdict, the absence of any instructions to the Local Government Division, and the pending legal notices and writ petitions.

The adviser further noted that the opinion of the Law Ministry has been sought as a step toward resolving these intricate complications and the question of legalising the allegedly illegal elections of the Awami regime has also become relevant.

"Should all these complications be resolved, there would be no obstacle to the Local Government Division administering the oath," he said.

He further said, "I see no reason for Ishraq Hossain's aggressive and insulting actions directed towards me. It's incorrect to attribute these actions to the general public, as intelligence reports confirm that party leaders and activists are executing the programme under the direction of various factions within the BNP and its affiliated organisations."

His post came as a large group of protesters today blocked the road in front of Nagar Bhaban and nearby Golap Shah Mazar Intersection for the fifth day, demanding the swearing-in of Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.