Slogan-chanting supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain locked all the gates of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) headquarters, Nagar Bhaban, on Saturday to demand that their leader be sworn in as the mayor as declared by the Election Commission.

All entry gates of Nagar Bhaban were put under lock and key, halting the services and activities in the office, officials said.

The supporters of Ishraque, under the banner of ‘Dhakabashi’ gathered outside the Nagar Bhaban and put gates under lock and key. They also announced to continue their demonstration for Sunday.

They blamed Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, for the delay in taking oath as DSCC mayor.

The protesters declared the adviser unwelcome at Nagar Bhaban.

Ruhul Amin, legal officer of DSCC, said, 'Supporters of Ishraque locked all gates on Saturday. Our online activities are ongoing. Since most of the City Corporation's workers are in the field, it's not a big problem even if we can't come to the office. However, some activities will definitely be affected.”

Earlier, in the day, the supporters of Ishraque brought out a procession and marched towards the Nagar Bhaban at around 9 am.

When they tried to march toward the Secretariat, police obstructed them, forcing them to return at Nagar Bhaban.

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The protesters announced a long march programme from the Nagar Bhaban to the Secretariat for Saturday, demanding that the mayor's responsibilities are given to Ishraque.

As part of the progrmme, his supporters demonstrated and staged sit-in in front of the Nagar Bhaban.

The EC on April 27 last, issued the gazette notification clearing Ishraque’s election as mayor. The next day Law Adviser Asif Nazrul claimed the EC acted before receiving opinion from the Law Ministry.

On March 27 last year, Judge of the Election Tribunal in Dhaka Md Nurul Islam nullified the result that had declared Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh elected in the 2020 DSCC election and instead declared the winner.