Having lost state minister post, Ishraque '100 Percent Ready' for mayoral election
Ishraque Hossain, surrounded by supporters at the National Press Club following a press conference where he declared his resignation from the post of state minister. Photo: Agamir Somoy
BNP leader Ishraque Hossain's goal was to become the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, but that did not happen. Instead, after getting elected as a Member of Parliament, he was awareded the portfolio of a state minister. After stepping down from the post of state minister following a controversy, he said he is prepared for the mayoral election.
Facing criticism for carrying a firearm during an anti-drug operation in his constituency in Old Dhaka, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque announced his resignation from the cabinet at a press conference on Monday, following directives from Prime Minister and Party Chairman Tarique Rahman.
During the press conference, journalists asked him whether he wanted to contest the city corporation election. Ishraque said he is ready. However, the final decision on this matter rests upon BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman.
Widespread criticism erupted surrounding Ishraque after he took to the streets holding a firearm during an anti-drug drive in Gendaria on Saturday. The following day, media reports surfaced stating that the Prime Minister had directed him to resign. However, Ishraque had dismissed those reports as rumors.
Following overnight drama, Ishraque said in a Facebook post Monday morning that he would appear at a press conference at the National Press Club at 2:00 PM to announce his resignation.
Arriving at the Press Club with hundreds of supporters, Ishraque held the press conference where he claimed that he voluntarily decided to step down from the cabinet so as not to embarrass the party.
However, the BNP man also mentioned that he has obtained Prime Minister's approval to continue anti-drug operations alongside fulfilling his duties as a Member of Parliament.
It was then that journalists inquired about his prospects of becoming a candidate in the city corporation election.
The 39-year-old Ishraq said, "I am completely ready. If the party feels that I need to contest, I am 100 percent ready."
In the 2020 city corporation election, the BNP had nominated Ishraque as its mayoral candidate. In that controversial election, Awami League candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was declared the winner.
At the time, Ishraque rejected the election results and initiated a legal fight. Following the July mass uprising, an election tribunal declared him the Mayor of DSCC on March 27, 2025. Although the Election Commission published a gazette in this regard, the interim government took no initiative to administer his oath at that time.
Ishraque then took the oath himself, announced he would occupy the mayoral chair, and launched a movement. He halted that movement following instructions from high-ranking BNP leadership. Subsequently, he was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Dhaka-6 constituency last February, after which he received the responsibility of state minister.
At the press conference, Ishraque highlighted his previous electoral experience regarding running for mayor. He said, "I have contested an election before and have gathered experiences. I have been working to resolve various issues in the city as per party directives."
However, his candidacy in the city election depends entirely on PM Tarique Rahman.
Ishraque said, "This is completely under the jurisdiction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and will depend solely on his decision."
Ishraque also noted that he would accept it if the BNP nominates someone else for the mayoral post.
He pointed out, "If the party nominates someone else, I am 100 percent ready to support them as well."
Currently, BNP leader Abdus Salam is serving as the Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation. He is a close political associate of Ishraq's late father, Sadeq Hossain Khoka. When Sadeq Hossain Khoka was the President of Dhaka City BNP, Salam served as its General Secretary. Both of them were freedom fighters.
Sadeq Hossain Khoka won in the 2001 election and served as the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock in Khaleda Zia's government. However, he resigned from his ministerial post to become the Mayor of Dhaka City Corporation in 2002.
Sadeq Hossain Khoka was the last mayor of the undivided Dhaka City Corporation. Following 1-11, the caretaker government bifurcated the Dhaka City Corporation into two entities.
Preparations are currently underway for the local government elections. In line with this, the Election Commission plans to organize the city corporation elections next year.
Various political parties have already finalized their mayoral candidates. The main opposition party in parliament, Jamaat-e-Islami, is fielding DUCSU VP Sadeq Kayem in Dhaka South. The National Citizen Party (NCP) is nominating the party's Chief Coordinator, Nasiruddin Patwary, as its mayoral candidate.
However, the BNP has not yet finalized its mayoral candidate for Dhaka South or any other city corporation.
