Ishraque breaking laws over DSCC’s mayoral issue: Adviser Ashif

Terming BNP leader Ishraque Hossain’s recent activities as criminal offences, LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has blamed him for violating the country’s laws over the issue relating to the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayor post.

“His (Ishraque) acts are blatant criminal offences and gross violations of the laws. He is now driven by a political motive,” Ashif, a former student leader, who later emerged as an adviser to the interim government, said on Wednesday.

While talking to a television channel, News24, at his secretariat office in Dhaka, Ashif said the BNP leader is being misguided by someone to gain a petty political interest.

“I am requesting Ishraque to stay aside from doing anything that will jeopardise the good relations the government maintains with the BNP,” said the adviser, who was a key leader of the Students Against Discrimination movement.

The issue was under proceedings when the gazette announcing Ishraque Hossain’s swearing-in was published and thus, it was not possible for the authorities to swear him in at that time, he said.

Ashif claimed his ministry had completed file paperwork to swear him in, but the attempt was stopped in line with the directives of the Ministry of Law Affairs.

Ishraque should refrain from such disturbing activities and uphold more responsible and skilful behaviours, considering the people’s welfare, Ashif said.     

While addressing a gathering at the Nagar Bhaban earlier in the day, Ishraque alleged that the government itself is hampering the essential services of the city dwellers.

The BNP leader blamed the LGRD Adviser Asif for instructing the DSCC officials not to perform their duties.