Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Shahjahan Mia resumed duties at Nagar Bhaban yesterday afternoon as BNP leader Ishraque Hossain's supporters reopened the office after 42 days.

He claimed a series of recent incidents were "orchestrated to divert attention" from this issue.

After 40 days of closure, Nagar Bhaban -- the headquarters of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) -- is set to reopen today.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star on Thursday afternoon, Ishraque talked about some of the issues regarding the legality of the mayoral post, his stance over the matter, his current strife with the government, and the ongoing situation surrounding the Nagar Bhaban

Asif said the govt could not administer Ishraque's oath within the constitutional one-month timeframe as the matter became sub judice following a writ petition

Announces establishment of 'Mayor's Cell' to monitor service delivery in the city

The sit-in, now in its second month, began after supporters of Ishraque Hossain demanded his formal swearing-in as mayor

He entered the premises at around 2:15pm amid loud chants from protesters

The protest, which resumed following a 48-hour pause, has brought citizen services to a standstill

Ishraque Hossain has pledged to quickly remove waste during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha festival and keep the city clean.

BNP leader Ishraque Hossain yesterday suspended the demonstrations for his immediate swearing-in as Dhaka south mayor and said they would would observe the government’s actions over the next two days before deciding on the next course of action.

BNP leader Ishraque Hossain today urged protesters not to leave the streets and to intensify their movement

“If they don’t administer the oath, a contempt of court proceedings will be initiated against them"

Protests rolled into this morning as BNP activists and leaders held their ground in front of the mosque, demanding that Ishraque be allowed to take the oath as mayor

The ongoing movement demanding Ishraque Hossain’s immediate swearing-in as mayor of Dhaka south spread across several key locations in the capital yesterday, including Matsya Bhaban, Kakrail, and the Jatiya Press Club.

DSCC staffers stage sit-in inside Nagar Bhaban

​​​​​​​All 28 civic services that the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) delivers from the Nagar Bhaban have stopped as supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain continued their sit-in for the fifth consecutive day yesterday.

Protesters began gathering around 9:00am, blocking the main gate and occupying nearby roads

Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain kept all gates of Nagar Bhaban -- the headquarters of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) -- padlocked for the second consecutive day yesterday, halting all service-related activities.

Ishraque Hossain, who contested the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) polls for the post of mayor from BNP, has filed a lawsuit with an election tribunal in Dhaka today, demanding cancellation of the February 1 election.