BNP leader Ishraq Hossain has announced the withdrawal of a street protest, stating that the resignation of two student advisors currently serving in the interim government will be observed over the next 48 hours.
He made the announcement on Thursday, May 22, during a road blockade demonstration by his supporters in Kakrail.
“We will observe developments regarding the student advisors’ resignation for 48 hours before making our next move,” said Ishraq. “People have suffered due to the protest, but this regime has stripped them of their rights.”
He also warned that if there are further delays in his swearing-in, the movement will resume from Friday morning. Ishraq alleged that “a fake writ was used in an attempt to obstruct the oath-taking process.”
The Dhaka South City Corporation election was held on February 1, 2020, where Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was declared the winner. However, following a shift in power, on March 27 this year, a tribunal led by Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal Judge Md. Nurul Islam annulled the previous result and declared Ishraq Hossain as the new mayor.
After receiving the tribunal`s verdict, the Election Commission sought the opinion of the law ministry on April 22 regarding publication of the official gazette. On April 27, the Election Commission officially published the gazette, declaring Ishraq Hossain as the new mayor of Dhaka South.
Despite this, complications delayed the oath-taking ceremony. In the meantime, a lawyer filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking to prevent Ishraq’s swearing-in. On Thursday, the High Court rejected the writ, clearing the way for Ishraq to take the oath as mayor.
