BNP is unlawfully forcing the closure of the city corporation building to pressure authorities into accepting Ishraque Hossain as mayor, bypassing due legal procedures, alleged Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Adviser to the Local Government Ministry.
In a Facebook post on Monday afternoon, Asif Mahmud claimed that the ongoing sit-in at the DSCC building by BNP activists is politically motivated and violates established legal processes. He emphasized that Ishraque’s swearing-in is currently not possible due to several unresolved legal complexities and a pending writ petition in the High Court.
According to Asif, the Election Commission’s tribunal issued a one-sided verdict ignoring a prior High Court ruling that declared the amendment of the petition illegal. Additionally, the Election Commission did not participate in the hearing or file an appeal afterward. Despite requests for opinions from the Law Ministry, the gazette notifying Ishraque’s mayoral post was issued late at night without awaiting a response or addressing legal notices from two citizens.
He further stated that the Local Government Division was not included as a party in the original case, nor did the tribunal’s decision contain any directive for them. Therefore, acting without a proper legal directive and amid unresolved disputes is unjustifiable.
Highlighting contradictions, Asif pointed out that a similar case in Barisal City Corporation was rejected by the tribunal following the High Court’s stance on petition amendments, raising questions about the tribunal’s consistency.
Asif also questioned the tenure validity of Ishraque’s term and noted that the Election Commission’s own letter instructed to proceed only if there are no legal complications—conditions which remain unmet due to the ongoing legal process and requested legal opinion from the Law Ministry.
He concluded by condemning the disruption of city services and public suffering caused by the forced occupation of the city corporation building, adding that the protest is being carried out under direct BNP leadership, based on intelligence inputs.
Asif expressed his dismay at what he described as personal and disrespectful behavior by Ishraque, reiterating that the government has no issue with the oath being administered once legal clarity is achieved.
LND/BG
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