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Published : 22 May 2025, 03:35 PM
The BNP Standing Committee has convened an emergency press conference in response to the emerging situation after the High Court dismissed a petition seeking to halt Ishraque Hossain’s swearing-in as Dhaka South mayor.
The top policymaking body of the party will hold the briefing at the BNP Chairperson's Office in Gulshan at 4pm on Thursday, according to Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the party's media cell.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who is currently undergoing treatment at a Bangkok hospital, is expected to join the briefing virtually.
Earlier, the High Court dismissed a petition challenging the Election Commission’s (EC) gazette declaring BNP leader Ishraque as Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayor and requesting a stay on his swearing-in.
As a result of the ruling, there is nothing obstructing him from taking on the post, said his lawyer Mahbub Uddin Khokon.
The court’s decision comes as Ishraque’s supporters held a week of protests to push for him to take on the responsibility of DSCC mayor.
Ishraque lost the DSCC election on Feb 1, 2020, to Awami League’s 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 EC issued a gazette on Apr 27 naming him mayor, but he has yet to take his oath.
On 14 May, Supreme Court lawyer and Dhaka South resident Md Mamunur Rashid filed the writ plea, seeking to bar the swearing-in.
The supporters of Ishraque launched a protest the same day, demanding his immediate swearing-in.
They have effectively brought activities at Nagar Bhaban to a standstill for over a week.
However, the local government ministry has refrained from organising Ishraque’s swearing-in, arguing that the petition complicates the decision.
Ishraque expressed his anger over the delay in his swearing-in, eventually demanding the resignations of Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Information Advisor Mahfuj Alam in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
He claimed the decision was justified due to the advisors’ links with the National Citizen Party (NCP). His supporters have echoed the demand.
