Dhaka, May 21 (V7N) — Tensions have escalated in Dhaka following BNP leader Ishraq Hossain's failure to respond to an ultimatum requiring him to take oath as the Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) by 10 AM Wednesday. In response, BNP activists and Ishraq supporters began staging sit-in protests across various parts of the capital from the morning.

Demonstrators were seen occupying key points including Matsya Bhaban, Kakrail, and the Secretariat. Protest processions were also observed in and around Nagar Bhaban, demanding immediate recognition of Ishraq’s mayoral position.

The political standoff comes ahead of a crucial High Court hearing, scheduled for noon today, regarding a writ petition that seeks to halt Ishraq’s oath-taking. The writ also calls for disciplinary action against the Election Tribunal judge who declared Ishraq the winner.

The controversy stems from the February 1, 2020 DSCC election, in which Awami League's Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was officially declared mayor. However, on March 27, 2025, the First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal of Dhaka annulled Taposh’s win and declared BNP’s Ishraq Hossain as the rightful mayor.

Following the verdict, the Election Commission (EC) sought legal advice from the Law Ministry before publishing a gazette. Despite not receiving the ministry’s opinion, the EC went ahead and issued a gazette notification on April 27, officially declaring Ishraq as mayor.

On May 14, lawyer Kazi Akbar Ali filed a writ petition in the High Court on behalf of one Md. Mamunur Rashid, challenging the tribunal’s verdict. The petition requested a stay order on the ruling and sought instructions to block Ishraq from taking the oath. It also called on the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Law to refrain from facilitating the oath and to investigate the Election Tribunal’s decision-making process.

The unfolding legal and political dispute has intensified the standoff between the BNP and government institutions, with the potential to spark further unrest if the court's decision fails to appease either side.

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