Supporters of Ishraque Hossain have issued an ultimatum, threatening disrupting all civic services, including electricity supply and waste management in Dhaka if the announcement of the BNP leader's swearing in as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation is not made by today (Wednesday).
They have also announced plans for another sit-in protest in front of Nagar Bhaban, starting at 10am today.
Former senior secretary Mashiur Rahman made the announcement under the banner of "Citizens of Dhaka" during the sixth day of their ongoing sit-in protest in front of Nagar Bhaban on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, supporters of Ishraque Hossain built a stage in front of the Nagar Bhaban and resumed their blockade there.
They were seen chanting slogans demanding that Ishraque be sworn in as the mayor. They also demanded the resignation of Adviser Asif Mahmud.
The protesters also blockaded the Golap Shah Mazar intersection near the city corporation headquarters.
The main entrance to Nagar Bhaban remained locked, disrupting all public services of the city corporation.
Due to the blockade, traffic congestion has occurred in Bangabazar, Gulistan, Paltan, adjacent Old Dhaka areas, Dilkusha, and Motijheel.
The protest which began on 14 May virtually brought all administrative activities at Nagar Bhaban to a halt, causing frustration among service seekers.
The Local Government Division office, previously housed at Nagar Bhaban, was temporarily relocated
to the Secretariat since May 18, as protesters locked the city corporation building.
BNP leaders alleged that the government particularly the Ministry of Local Government is unjustly delaying the process of handing over the mayoral office to Ishraq.
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed had warned that the ongoing demonstrations could escalate if Ishraque Hossain is not sworn in soon.
Speaking at the inauguration of BNP's Sylhet division membership campaign at the district Shilpakala Academy yesterday, he said, "Just because we supported this [interim] government doesn't mean they can do whatever they want."
On April 27, 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 August 5 last year, all mayors were removed in the country's 12 city corporations.
At a press briefing on May 17, 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 February 1 in 2020.
Awami League candidates Atiqul Islam and Fazle Noor Taposh were elected mayors of Dhaka North and South, respectively.
On March 3 in 2020, Ishraque filed a case challenging the results, citing vote rigging and irregularities.
