Ishraque calls off Dhaka mayoral oath protest for 48 hours

BNP leader Ishraque Hossain has announced a 48-hour suspension of the ongoing protest demanding he be sworn in as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

He made the call on Thursday afternoon after the High Court rejected a petition that sought to block his oath-taking.

He also apologised for the public inconvenience caused by the protest, which had brought operations at DSCC’s Nagar Bhaban to a halt.

Ishraque arrived outside the chief advisor’s residence, State Guest House Jamuna, in the afternoon, where supporters were holding the “Dhakabashir Obosthan”, or “Dhaka Residents' Sit-in”, programme.

Speaking there, he said: “We were forced to take to the streets because the government failed to act.”

Thanking party activists, he said: “You’ve worked tirelessly for seven days to bring the movement this far. He [Tarique Rahman] has conveyed his thanks and gratitude to you.”

“I will remain forever indebted to you. With this petition dismissed, the rule of law has finally prevailed.”

He said the interim government would be closely watched over the next 24 to 48 hours. “As we received the verdict [on Thursday], work is in progress.

“If this government resorts to delay tactics again, we will return here [Friday] morning and surround the area.”

Ishraque added, “We will observe the government's actions for the next 24 to 48 hours. What they do during this time will determine our next steps.”

Alongside pushing for implementation of the court verdict, he confirmed that the demand for the resignation of two advisors remains in effect.

The DSCC election was held on Feb 1, 2020, where Ishraque lost to Awami League candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh by nearly 200,000 votes.

But on Mar 27 this year, Judge Md Nurul Islam of the Dhaka Election Tribunal overturned the result and declared Ishraque mayor.

The Election Commission (EC) issued a gazette on Apr 27 naming him mayor.

But on May 14, a Supreme Court lawyer and Dhaka South resident Md Mamunur Rashid filed a writ plea in the High Court to block his swearing-in.

In response, Ishraque’s supporters launched demonstrations last Wednesday, effectively crippling operations at the DSCC’s main office.

After multiple hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday, the High Court bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury dismissed the petition on Thursday.