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Dhaka, May 22, 2025: Supporters of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Ishraque Hossain have continued their sit-in protest on Hair Road in front of Yamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser, demanding the swearing-in of Ishraque as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and the resignation of two interim government advisers, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and Mahfuz Alam.
Since the early hours of Thursday, May 22, the number of BNP activists and supporters has been steadily increasing. Small processions from various wards and thanas have converged on the site, raising slogans against Advisers Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and Mahfuz Alam. The protesters, who maintained their demonstration throughout Wednesday night, have vowed to continue their sit-in until their demands are met.
The road from Kakrail to Matsya Bhaban has been blocked by the protesters, disrupting traffic in the area. In response, authorities have heightened security, with an increased presence of police and army personnel deployed near Yamuna to maintain order.
This demonstration follows a week-long blockade by Ishraque’s supporters in front of Nagar Bhaban, the DSCC headquarters, where they pressed for the same demands. The protests stem from a March 27, 2025, tribunal verdict that annulled the 2020 DSCC election results and declared Ishraque Hossain the mayor, overturning the previous victory of Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh. Despite the court ruling and an official gazette notification, delays in Ishraque’s swearing-in have fueled public discontent, with supporters accusing the interim government, particularly Adviser Asif Mahmud, of obstructing the process.
AI/MR
