DSCC in disarray as Ishraque claims mayor’s office
Staff Reporter :
BNP leader Ishraque Hossain held a meeting with staff of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) at Nagar Bhaban on Monday, referring to himself as the city’s mayor despite unresolved legal and political issues surrounding his assumption of office.
The meeting has reignited concerns among DSCC officials over renewed disruptions in civic services, as tensions persist over Ishraque’s claim to the mayoralty.
Several officials expressed alarm, noting that many city services remain paralysed, with key administrative functions being carried out by personnel aligned with Ishraque’s faction.
“The building is practically under a soft lockdown,” said one DSCC official. “Many regular staff members have stopped participating in daily operations, and the situation is becoming increasingly difficult.”
Service disruptions are already being felt in areas such as mosquito control.
“Anti-mosquito drives were conducted in only 48 of the 75 wards today,” said a senior DSCC officer involved in the programme, speaking on condition of anonymity. “If this trend continues, the disruption could worsen further.”
Ishraque was declared the elected mayor of Dhaka South by an Election Tribunal in March, overturning the 2020 election results in which he lost to Awami League-backed candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.
A subsequent gazette was issued by the Election Commission on 27 April confirming his election. However, he has not yet been sworn into office.
Monday’s meeting was organised by the DSCC’s waste management department. A banner behind the podium referred to Ishraque as the “Honourable Mayor.”
When asked about the use of the title, he said it was not his demand but reflected public sentiment. “This is what the people want,” he said.
“The Election Commission has recognised me, and the highest court has upheld the verdict. Anyone who disputes this should educate themselves on the legal process.”
Despite his claims, sources within the BNP revealed that the party’s central leadership has yet to endorse Ishraque’s actions.
A senior member of the BNP Standing Committee declined to comment, while another leader, requesting anonymity, confirmed that Ishraque’s unilateral move has created discomfort within the party.
“The BNP is currently engaged in high-level discussions with the interim government on national issues,” the source said. “This mayoral standoff is an unwelcome distraction.”
Party insiders suggested that an official statement from the BNP clarifying its position could be issued as early as Tuesday.
During Monday’s meeting, Ishraque urged staff to intensify mosquito control efforts amid rising dengue infections. Speaking to reporters afterward, he pledged to continue working with all DSCC departments to maintain essential civic services.
“We want to ensure smooth delivery of services like birth and death registration, ward certificates, and other citizen essentials directly through local ward offices,” he explained.
Since 14 May, Ishraque’s supporters-under the “Dhakabasi” platform-have maintained a sit-in protest outside Nagar Bhaban, pausing only briefly for Eid. The protest resumed on Sunday.
Ishraque, son of former Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, has warned that officials aligned with the outgoing administration will be barred from undertaking any development work.
“The gate of Nagar Bhaban will remain locked as a symbol of resistance until I am officially sworn in,” he said.
He also accused the interim government of deliberately blocking his oath-taking for political reasons. “They don’t want a BNP representative in a key position ahead of the general elections,” he alleged. “They’ve installed a politically loyal administrator to maintain control.”
Despite his repeated public statements and protests, Ishraque claimed there has been no attempt by government officials to resolve the standoff. “There’s been complete silence from their side,” he said.
Ishraque further argued that, since the Appellate Division has dismissed the legal challenges to his gazette notification, the presence of the current administrator is “no longer lawful.”
While his electoral victory has been upheld in court, the Ministry of Local Government continues to cite unresolved legal complications as a reason for delaying the swearing-in. In the meantime, the governance of Dhaka South remains in limbo.