DSCC in limbo – citizens pay the price for political deadlock

The ongoing standoff surrounding Ishraque Hossain’s claim to the mayoralty of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has plunged the city’s governance into disarray, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of political and legal uncertainties. Despite being declared the elected mayor by an Election Tribunal and having his position gazetted by the Election Commission, Ishraque remains unsworn and effectively sidelined by the Ministry of Local Government, which cites lingering legal complications.
Our newspaper reported yesterday that the vacuum at the heart of the DSCC is now translating into serious disruptions in essential civic services. Mosquito control operations — crucial amid a rising threat of dengue — have already faltered, with only 48 out of 75 wards covered in a recent anti-mosquito drive. Other vital services such as birth and death registration, issuance of ward certificates, and waste management are also reportedly paralysed as staff factions split along political lines.
The situation has further deteriorated with reports of a “soft lockdown” at Nagar Bhaban, where many regular DSCC employees are said to have withdrawn from routine duties. This bureaucratic paralysis is neither sustainable nor acceptable, especially as the monsoon season approaches, threatening to exacerbate health and sanitation issues in the city.
While Ishraque insists that the legal process has validated his claim and accuses the interim government of political interference, the lack of coordination, both within the DSCC and at the national level, reflects a worrying disregard for the welfare of the city’s residents. The BNP’s silence and internal discomfort further muddy the waters, suggesting that even within his party, consensus on his actions remains elusive.
Regardless of the political or legal standing of any individual, governance must not be held hostage to procedural inertia or partisan power plays. Citizens cannot be expected to navigate an administrative limbo when their health, documentation needs, and basic services are at stake.
The government, the Election Commission, and the judiciary must act decisively to bring clarity to this impasse. Whether through facilitating the swearing-in or appointing a neutral caretaker to manage operations, immediate steps are necessary to restore the DSCC’s functionality.
Dhaka South deserves better. Political legitimacy may be contested, but there should be no ambiguity when it comes to delivering essential services to its residents. The cost of inaction is already too high — and rising.