Ishraque must be sworn in or tougher movement will follow: Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has warned that the ongoing protests in Dhaka may escalate into a broader movement if Ishraque Hossainis not allowed to take oath as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) soon.

He made the remarks this afternoon while addressing the inauguration of BNP's member collection and renewal campaign at the Sylhet Shilpakala Academy Auditorium.

Salahuddin said, "People have locked down the Nagar Bhaban for days and issued an ultimatum to the local government adviser. The court declared Ishraque the elected mayor, and the Election Commission issued a gazette in his name, yet he is not being sworn in, and excuses are being made. Is this the rule of law?"

He accused the chief adviser and the adviser of the local government ministry of ignoring court orders and constitutional responsibilities, asking, "If you disregard court ruling and the Election Commission gazette, are you not directly opposing democracy?"

Salahuddin said, "We have always cooperated with this government. But that doesn't mean we've handed you a blank cheque. You cannot expect us to endure anything you do."

He urged the authorities to immediately arrange the swearing-in of Ishraque Hossain as mayor of DSCC.

"Otherwise, the protest in Dhaka may expand into a much larger movement," he warned.

The BNP leader also emphasised the need for structural reforms in the judiciary, administration, and other sectors to permanently eradicate fascism.

"We've engaged with the reform commissions to ensure that no dictatorship can emerge under the guise of constitutional power," he said.

Salahuddin criticised the current situation and questioned the need for an election commission if, as one female adviser claimed, "a mass uprising" elected them as the government.

"If that's the case, why maintain an electoral system at all?" he asked.

He also alleged that some advisers are conspiring to destabilise the country. "We've informed the chief adviser of their activities. Now he must take action."

Salahuddin called on the chief adviser to honour the government's pledge to hold elections by December and said "This will protect your dignity, reassure the public, restore stability, and revive the economy."