Ishraque’s supporters continue protest for fourth day

For the fourth consecutive day, supporters of Ishraque Hossain are staging a protest in front of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) building, demanding his appointment as mayor. Starting at 9 AM on Sunday (May 18), supporters from various areas of Dhaka gathered at the entrance of the city corporation, locking the gate and halting the building's official operations.

The protesters are calling for Ishraque to be officially appointed as mayor, and are also raising slogans against Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan. They positioned themselves at the main gate and along the road in front of the building, voicing their discontent.

A Youth League member from Gendaria said, “The government is delaying Ishraque Hossain’s appointment as mayor, and Advisor Asif is leading the obstruction. We will continue protesting until our demands are met.”

The protest, which began on Wednesday, has disrupted the normal functioning of the DSCC building. On Saturday, the protesters also marched towards the Secretariat, declaring Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib "undesirable."

Since the fire at the Secretariat in December, official work for the Ministry of Local Government has been conducted at the DSCC building.

On Saturday, Ishraque submitted a letter to the Ministry of Local Government requesting arrangements for his swearing-in as mayor. Later that evening, he held a press conference.

When asked about the delay in his swearing-in, Ishraq responded, "I have no personal issue with the Local Government Advisor or any other advisor, and I do not hold any personal grudge."

Due to the protest, DSCC staff were unable to enter the building on Sunday morning. A staff member from the accounting department said, “I come to the office every day, but even when the protesters leave around noon, I can’t enter because the gate remains locked.”

Zillur Rahman, the CEO of DSCC, said, “Even when we come to the office, we cannot get inside, and no work is being done.”

In the Dhaka South City Corporation election on February 1, 2020, Awami League's Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh defeated Ishraque to become mayor. However, on March 27 of this year, the Dhaka Election Tribunal annulled that result and declared Ishraque the mayor, with the Election Commission issuing the gazette on April 27. His swearing-in has not yet taken place.

When asked at Saturday’s press conference whether he blamed any political party for the delay, Ishraque replied, “I am not blaming any political party, individual, or government. We are simply seeking a resolution.”