Protesters gather at Nagar Bhaban for day 4 demanding Ishraque's swearing-in as mayor
The protesters have taken a position in front of the main gate of Nagar Bhaban, preventing the people from availing services from there
Highlights:
- Protesters gathered at Nagar Bhaban for fourth day
- Ishraque Hossain yet to be sowrn in as Dhaka South City Corporation mayor
- People are unable to avail services from Nagar Bhaban
- Protesters said they will not leave the street until Ishraque is sworn in
Protesters have gathered at Nagar Bhaban and locked the building for the fourth day, demanding the swearing-in of Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.
The protesters have taken a position in front of the main gate of Nagar Bhaban, preventing the people from availing services from there.
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The protesters have been agitating since the morning (18 May) under the banner of "Citizens of Dhaka".
Visiting the area, our correspondent found people gathering in small groups at Nagar Bhaban from different parts of Dhaka city.
During this time, the protesters chanted various slogans, including "We want the swearing in of our brother Ishraque" and "Ishraque is people's mayor, there is no other mayor".
Talking to our correspondent, the protesters said they will not leave the streets until Ishraque's swearing-in is held.
They said they will be forced to announce tougher programmes if the government dilly-dallies with the swearing-in.
At a press briefing yesterday (17 May), Ishraque said he had filed a case within 30 days of the election. "Former Dhaka South mayor Taposh tried to obstruct the case proceedings by force," he said.
"At that time, the court was in favour of the Awami League. We have received the verdict following all the legal steps. Those who are speaking against the verdict are insulting the court," Ishraque added.
Stating that he has not been sworn in as Dhaka South mayor although 20 days have passed since the publication of the gazette, Ishraque said he is ready to be sworn in.
On 27 April, the Election Commission announced BNP's Ishraque Hossain as the new mayor of Dhaka South after receiving a legal opinion from the Ministry of Law and subsequently publishing a gazette.
Earlier on 27 March, Judge Md Nurul Islam of Dhaka's First Joint District Judge and Electoral Tribunal nullified the 2020 DSCC election results that declared Awami League's Fazle Noor Taposh as the mayor, and instead declared Ishraque Hossain the rightful mayor.
The Dhaka South and Dhaka North elections were held on 1 February 2020.
Awami League candidates Atiqul Islam and Fazle Noor Taposh were elected mayors of Dhaka North and South, respectively.
On 3 March 2020, Ishraque filed a case challenging the results, citing vote rigging and irregularities.
Following the ouster of the Awami League government through a mass uprising on 5 August 2024, the interim government removed all mayors from the country's 12 city corporations and appointed administrators as part of a broader administrative reshuffle.
On 13 February, the Local Government Division appointed Additional Secretary Md Shahjahan Miah as the acting Dhaka South administrator, a post that had remained vacant since December 2024.
