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May 22, 2025, Dhaka: BNP leader Ishraq Hossain has joined his supporters in an ongoing protest demanding his oath-taking as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). On Thursday, at around 4:00 PM, he arrived at the protest site in Kakrail via the road adjacent to the Chief Justice’s residence. His supporters gathered around his vehicle, chanting slogans, and Ishraq exchanged greetings with many of them.
The protesters were heard chanting slogans such as “We’ll rip off Asif’s skin,” “Ishraq Bhai fears none, we won’t leave the streets,” “We need an elected government now,” and “Zia’s soldiers, unite!” The primary demand of the movement is to immediately administer the oath to Ishraq Hossain as mayor and hand over his responsibilities, in line with the court’s ruling.
Earlier, the High Court dismissed a writ petition seeking to prevent Ishraq Hossain from taking the oath as mayor. The bench of Justice Md. Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury stated that the writ was not admissible for hearing. This ruling clears the legal hurdles for Ishraq to take the oath, as confirmed by his legal team.
In court, Ishraq was represented by Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister Kayser Kamal, assisted by Barrister AKM Ehsanur Rahman and Advocate Maksud Ullah. Advocate Mohammad Hossain represented the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Mahfuzur Rahman Milan appeared for the state.
In the DSCC election held on February 1, 2020, Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was declared the winner. However, Ishraq Hossain filed a case alleging irregularities in the election. On March 27, 2025, the Election Tribunal annulled Taposh’s victory and declared Ishraq as the mayor. Subsequently, on April 27, the Election Commission published a gazette announcing Ishraq as the elected mayor. Despite this, delays in his oath-taking and assumption of duties have led his supporters to stage protests in front of the Nagar Bhaban for the past week.
AI/MR
