Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain continued their sit-in for the sixth consecutive day on Tuesday, demanding his swearing-in as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), reports UNB.
The protests have halted vehicular movement on the stretch of road between Bangabazar and Golap Shah Mazar in Gulistan, causing severe disruption in one of the capital's busiest commercial areas.
BNP leaders and activists from various parts of Dhaka began gathering in front of Nagar Bhaban around 10:00am.
A temporary stage was set up at the main gate, where the national anthem and patriotic songs were played continuously as part of the demonstration.
The protest, which began last Wednesday, has virtually brought all administrative activities at Nagar Bhaban to a halt, causing frustration among service seekers.
As the Local Government Division office is housed inside the building, Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan has reportedly been unable to attend office amid the ongoing demonstration.
BNP leaders alleged that the government, particularly the Ministry of Local Government, is unjustly delaying the process of handing over the mayoral office to Ishraque.
"Until Ishraque Bhai is given charge as mayor, we will continue our protest," said a BNP activist.
Shihab Hossain, a businessman from Gendaria, said: "Ishraque was defeated through a conspiracy. Even though it's late, the court has now declared him the mayor. We want to see him in the mayor's seat, even if it's for the remaining tenure."
Former secretary Moshiur Rahman on Monday formally announced a non-stop sit-in programme at Nagar Bhaban as part of the ongoing movement.
"This movement will continue until our demand is fulfilled," he said.
LGRD Adviser Asif, speaking at an event on Monday, said the government is facing several legal and administrative complications in facilitating Ishraque's swearing-in.
"Until these complexities are resolved, no decision can be made," he added.
On February 1, 2020, Awami League's Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh defeated Ishraque Hossain, a member of the BNP's International Affairs Committee, by nearly 200,000 votes in the DSCC election.
Following the fall of the Awami League government amid a mass uprising last year, the Election Tribunal on March 27 nullified the previous election result and declared Ishraque the new mayor.
The Election Commission published a gazette notification on April 27, officially announcing Ishraque as the mayor of DSCC, but he is yet to be sworn in.
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