Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain staged a protest at the Matsya Bhaban intersection on Wednesday, pressing for his swearing-in as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. The demonstration brought traffic in the area to a complete standstill.
For seven consecutive days, Ishraque Hossain’s supporters have been rallying to demand his formal induction as mayor. Departing from their earlier sit-in at Nagar Bhaban, the protesters moved to the busy Matsya Bhaban intersection, paralyzing traffic in the capital’s administrative zone. From early morning, demonstrators began gathering near the High Court gate, Press Club, and Shikkha Bhaban. Chanting slogans, they marched toward Matsya Bhaban, where they blocked all surrounding roads, escalating the disruption. Nagar Bhaban remained eerily quiet, with no visible public presence on the adjacent roads. Inside, a separate protest was held by city corporation employees. Authorities have removed the temporary stage previously erected in front of the city hall. A few remaining staff were seen heading toward the main protest site, sources said. Since last Wednesday, supporters have vowed not to back down until Ishraque is officially sworn in. Former secretary Moshiur Rahman, the movement’s coordinator, declared that the protest would intensify if no decision is announced by 10:00 AM Wednesday. “We will escalate our actions and bring Dhaka to a standstill,” he warned on Tuesday afternoon. Ishraque Hossain ran as the BNP candidate in the controversial Dhaka South mayoral election held on February 1, 2020, which was marred by allegations of widespread irregularities. Following the ousting of former mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh after the fall of the Awami League-led government on August 5 last year, a tribunal declared Ishraque the rightful winner on March 27 this year. The Election Commission subsequently published a gazette on April 27, officially recognizing Ishraque Hossain as the elected mayor. However, he has yet to be sworn into office, triggering the ongoing wave of protests.
LND/BG
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