Tension continues to build in Dhaka South City Corporation as supporters of Ishraque Hossain gathered outside Nagar Bhaban on Wednesday, demanding that he immediately assume mayoral duties.
Despite heavy rain, protesters gathered early outside the city’s central administrative building. Many chanted for city advisor Asif’s resignation, accusing him of blocking the transfer of power.
The incident took place ahead of a scheduled 11:00 a.m. meeting between Ishraque and Dhaka South officials. Organizers said the meeting was set to address mosquito control amid a rise in dengue cases.
But as of midday, Ishraque had not yet arrived.
Still, his supporters remained firm. Speaking to reporters, they said Dhaka South’s municipal functions had effectively stalled, creating added strain as the city faces simultaneous public health challenges from both dengue and lingering COVID-19 threats.
“We’ve been here since morning,” one protester said. “City services are frozen. People are suffering. Let him take office already.”
According to organizers, Ishraque had been holding a series of unofficial coordination meetings over the past few days with employees and officers at the city corporation, despite not yet being formally sworn in.
Wednesday’s scheduled meeting was expected to include ward-level mosquito control workers and their supervisors. The goal, according to those close to the planning, was to review the current dengue situation and offer guidance moving forward.
“He has already met with several staff groups without holding formal office,” said one official who asked not to be named. “This meeting is part of that process.”
The standoff has put city leadership in a difficult position. While no formal handover of mayoral responsibilities has taken place, Ishraque continues to operate in a quasi-official capacity — one that draws both political support and legal questions.
Protesters say they will not back down until Ishraque is officially installed as mayor. And even then, they say the demand for advisor Asif’s resignation will remain on the table.
The political uncertainty comes at a time when Dhaka South faces growing pressure to respond to mosquito-borne illnesses. Rising dengue cases in several neighborhoods have sparked calls for faster action and stronger leadership.
So far, city officials have not released any statement on the protest or the current status of mayoral duties. Whether Ishraque will formally take the seat — and when — remains unclear. But for many gathered in front of Nagar Bhaban, waiting continues.
