Ishraq supporters are holding a protest program in front of the Nagar Bhaban for the fourth consecutive day, demanding that Engineer Ishraq Hossain be given the responsibility as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. The protesters have blocked the main gate of the Nagar Bhaban and taken up positions there. As a result, service recipients are unable to enter the building.

Protesters have been protesting under the banner 'Dhakabasi' in front of the main gate of the Dhaka South City Corporation Nagar Bhaban since Sunday morning (May 18).

They are gathering in front of the city hall in small processions from different areas of Dhaka South City Corporation. They are protesting the delay in Ishraq Hossain's oath-taking by standing outside. At that time, they were seen raising various slogans including 'I want oath, I want Ishraq Bhai's oath', 'We will not allow any excuses for the oath, we will not allow it', 'I want Ishraq Hossain's oath immediately, it must be given', 'Ishraq Bhai is the people's mayor, there is no other mayor'.

Emdadul Haque, a resident of Jatrabari who participated in the program, said, "Engineer Ishraq has been elected mayor by the people's vote. We want to see him as mayor soon. How long will his matter be held up like this? Our question to the government is, why is he not being sworn in yet? We are not leaving the streets until the oath is administered. If there is any delay in this, we will be forced to hold a bigger program."

Nasrin Akhter, who came from Old Dhaka, said, "Even though the gazette has been passed declaring Ishraq Hossain as mayor, he is not being sworn in. We will continue the program demanding that he be given the responsibility of mayor immediately."


Meanwhile, Ishraq Hossain said at a press conference at the National Press Club on Saturday evening (May 17), the case was filed within 30 days of the election. Taposh tried to stop the case by exerting influence. At that time, the court was under the control of the Awami League. However, we got the verdict after following all legal steps. Therefore, those who are speaking against this verdict of the court are contempt of court.

Stating that he has not been sworn in even though 20 days have passed since the gazette was published, the BNP leader said, "We are fully ready to take the oath."

Incidentally, the Dhaka South City Corporation elections were held on February 1, 2020. Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh of the Awami League became the mayor, defeating BNP's Ishraq Hossain by a margin of 2.5 million votes. On March 27, the results of the 2020 Dhaka South City Corporation elections, which declared Fazle Noor Taposh the winner, were annulled and BNP leader Ishraq was declared the mayor. After receiving a copy of the tribunal's verdict, the Election Commission sought the advice of the Law Ministry on publishing the gazette on April 22.