Ishraque breaks silence; urges EC, govt for immediate swearing-in as Dhaka South mayor
BNP leader Ishraque Hossain has submitted an application to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives seeking to be sworn in as mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
"Despite clear obligations of the law, authorities concerned have remained silent, which is highly concerning. I urge the Election Commission and the local government ministry to immediately take steps for me to take the oath of office as the elected mayor," he wrote in his application today (17 May).
His response comes after a series of protests from his supporters demanding his oath-taking, as they concluded their demonstration for the third consecutive day by locking up the Nagar Bhaban gates.
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In his application, Ishraque stated that according to the Local Government (Municipalities) Act, 2009, when an individual is elected mayor and it is published in an official gazette, the government or the designated authority must ensure that the oath is administered within 30 days.
"However, almost three weeks have passed since the gazette was published, and no action has been taken for the oath-taking," he stated in the application.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club this evening, Ishraque said, "After the court declared me as mayor, there was a misinterpretation that we gave legitimacy to the illegal election. We did not give legitimacy to the illegal election. It was the court that gave it through the judicial process."
"Those who are obstructing now are people from the opposition," he said.
He said, "There is skepticism about whether a fair and impartial election is possible under the interim government. Within the government itself, another faction has formed that is working for their own benefit. There is a smear campaign about judges and the judiciary by the NCP."
Stating that the court's decision must be accepted, he said, "If anyone refuses to accept it, then they must be considered as contemptuous of the court."
The government has started exerting influence over the Election Commission, he alleged, adding that the law adviser had said the gazette was published without consulting them, though the file was on their table for review.
"However, the gazette was published following the procedure within ten working days. Even though 20 days have passed since the gazette publication, I have yet to be sworn in," the mayor-elect said.
Regarding the ongoing protests, Ishraque said, "I am not involved in this, but it is the people's right, and they can protest if they want to. Many protests are taking place, and if they are protesting for something justifiable, I cannot stop them. However, care must be taken to ensure that the people's suffering is minimised during the protests."
In his application, Ishraque had also attached the Election Tribunal's verdict annulling the 1 February 2020 DSCC polls declaring him as the rightful winner as well as Election Commission gazette declaring him mayor.
He alleged that Awami League candidate Sheikh Fazle Nur Taposh, won through fraudulent means to become mayor.
After a prolonged judicial process, the Election Tribunal delivered its verdict on 27 March, stating that the Election Commission's 2020 gazette should be cancelled, and Ishraque should be declared the duly elected mayor.
Based on which, the Election Commission issued a new gazette on 27 April, declaring Ishraque Hossain as the elected mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation.
Earlier on the day, the Local Government Division (LGD) said it was yet to receive a response from the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs regarding Ishraque's appointment.
The law ministry was also unable to specify when the response might be issued.
The local government ministry sent a letter to the Law and Justice Division, seeking to know whether there were any legal issues concerning the court verdict in the case filed by Ishraque regarding the 2020 DSCC mayoral election, and the EC's decision not to file an appeal against it.
