Dhaka, May 17 (V7N) — Supporters of Engineer Ishraq Hossain gathered in front of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) city hall at Gulistan from early Saturday morning, demanding that Ishraq be officially sworn in as mayor.

The rally, organized under the banner of ‘Dhakabasi,’ saw participants chanting slogans such as “No excuses for taking oath, no excuses,” “We want Ishraq Hossain’s oath immediately,” and “Ishraq Bhai, the people’s mayor, there is no other mayor.”

This gathering follows an earlier announcement of a Long March to the Secretariat program by Ishraq’s supporters, calling for his formal recognition as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. The announcement was made public through a press release on Friday, stating that ordinary citizens would carry out the Long March on behalf of voters residing in Dhaka South City.

The political controversy dates back to the DSCC election held on February 1, 2020, where Awami League’s Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was declared the winner by a margin of 2.5 million votes over BNP candidate Ishraq Hossain. However, on March 27, 2020, the election results were annulled, and BNP leader Ishraq was declared mayor, sparking ongoing disputes over the legitimacy of the mayoral office.

The current demonstrations underscore growing public demand for resolution and clarity regarding the leadership of Dhaka South City Corporation.

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