BNP leader Ishraque Hossain has declared that he will take oath as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) alongside the voters if the government fails to organize the swearing-in ceremony immediately.
Speaking at a sit-in program held in front of Nagar Bhaban in Gulistan on Tuesday afternoon, Ishraque made the announcement in the presence of supporters gathered under the banner of “Dhakabasi” (People of Dhaka).
Ishraque stated, "If the government does not arrange the official oath-taking, I will take the oath myself with the people of Dhaka South and assume office. The citizens—not outside advisers or administrators like in the North—will determine how Nagar Bhaban is run.”
He added that for the past two weeks, the Nagar Bhaban has been effectively under their control. “It wouldn’t take me two minutes to sit in my chair if they don’t proceed with the oath. The people of Dhaka have repeatedly urged me to take responsibility by taking an oath at the Shaheed Minar. But since we are a party that believes in lawful governance, we have approached the Election Commission and the Ministry of Local Government multiple times. We want to avoid setting a dangerous precedent.”
Ishraque concluded by saying that, considering the upcoming Eid and the public`s suffering, the sit-in would be temporarily relaxed.