Those acting as certain party's reps must resign from interim govt immediately: Ishraque
His comments came this afternoon (19 May) as his supporters ended the demonstration and blockade on the road in front of the Nagar Bhaban for the fifth consecutive day
Highlights:
- EC announced Ishraque as mayor of Dhaka South on 27 April
- Ishraque alleges certain interim govt officials obstructing his swearing-in
- He calls for resignation of govt officials who are serving party interests
BNP leader and Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor-elect Ishraque Hossain has called for the immediate resignation of individuals within the interim government who, according to him, are acting as representatives of a specific political party rather than remaining neutral.
His comments came this afternoon (19 May) as his supporters ended the demonstration and blockade on the road in front of the Nagar Bhaban, the headquarters of Dhaka South City Corporation, for the fifth consecutive day.
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Ishraque supporters, under the banner of "Dhakabashi", have locked the main gate of Nagar Bhaban, demanding that he be sworn in as the Dhaka South mayor in line with a court verdict and the publication of the Election Commission's gazette. They claim that Ishraque is not able to take oath even after publication of the gazette because of Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan.
In a post on his verified Facebook page this afternoon, Ishraque alleged that certain interim government officials are deliberately obstructing his swearing-in.
"They are using all their power to prevent a BNP mayor in Dhaka. This clearly indicates the role they plan to play in the upcoming national election," he wrote.
"These individuals have threatened judges, challenged the Election Commission, interfered with the higher judiciary, and conspired with pro-government bureaucrats. One day, all of their names and identities will be revealed," he added.
Meanwhile, Adviser Asif Mahmud said the BNP is forcibly shutting down Nagar Bhaban and staging protests to realise its demand for the swearing-in of Ishraque.
"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 today.
On 27 April, the Election Commission announced Ishraque as the new mayor of Dhaka South after receiving a legal opinion from the law ministry and subsequently publishing a gazette.
Following the ouster of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, all mayors were removed in the country's 12 city corporations.
At a press briefing on 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.
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.
