Ready to run for mayor, party decision is final. Amid intense controversy over a video of him participating in an anti-drug operation with a firearm, BNP International Affairs Committee member and Dhaka-6 Member of Parliament Engineer Ishraq Hossain has announced his resignation as State Minister for Liberation War Affairs. According to him, he decided to resign so that the BNP and the government would not be embarrassed by his actions and the Prime Minister's work would not be overshadowed. However, although stepping down as state minister, he announced that his anti-drug activities would continue. At the same time, he stated that he is ready to participate in the election if the Dhaka South City Corporation mayor nomination is given by the party.
On Monday (October 19) afternoon, Ishraq announced his decision at a press conference held in the presence of several hundred leaders and activists at the National Press Club in Dhaka. He said that he had voluntarily requested exemption from the responsibilities of state minister from the Prime Minister and expressed his desire to continue working on eradicating drugs and various problems of public life in the Dhaka-6 area and its surroundings. He claimed that the Prime Minister had given him consent to move forward with this work.
Armed operation, beginning of controversy. On October 17, after a video of Ishraq holding a firearm during an anti-drug operation in the Ghuntighar area of capital's Gandaria spread on social media, widespread discussion and criticism began over the issue. On Saturday, he published multiple videos of the operation on his verified Facebook page. In one video, he was seen leading an operation in the area with a firearm in hand. Another person accompanying him was also seen with a firearm. In another video, several people were seen being handcuffed and taken away with police members.
Following this incident, questions arose regarding the legality of an elected representative conducting an operation with a firearm, the role of law enforcement agencies, and the limits of participation of ruling party leaders in such operations.
The opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami described the incident as an 'expression of a reign of terror by raising a pistol,' according to the report. On the other hand, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch Chief Shafiqul Islam stated that the relevant official has been asked to review the incident and submit a report. He also stated that legal action will be taken if there is any violation of the law.
Amid the controversy, reports were published in several media outlets on Sunday night about the Prime Minister's directive for Ishraq to resign. The next day, Ishraq announced his resignation at a press conference. However, in his speech, he highlighted the protection of the image of the party and the government as the main reason for his decision.
Ishraq's claim: Anti-drug operation was pre-planned. At the press conference, Ishraq said that there were long-standing allegations of drug buying, selling, and supply in the Ghuntighar and Munsirtek areas of Gandaria in Dhaka-6. When local residents repeatedly complained to him, he held multiple meetings with the local police station regarding the matter. He claimed that a proposal to set up a police outpost in the area was also made. Although a semi-official letter was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs and initiatives were taken to determine the location for the outpost, it was not implemented.
According to Ishraq's account, a decision was made in a meeting on September 18 to build social resistance against drugs involving local residents and police. Following that initiative, the operation on October 17 was conducted. He also claimed that the police were informed prior to the operation.
Describing the operation, Ishraq said that after entering the area, seeing a group of people running around, he took his legally licensed firearm in hand for his own security. He claimed to have spent about 45 minutes walking around various places and witnessing the scenes of drug selling and consumption.
According to his statement, in the presence of police officers in several buildings, a school bag full of stolen mobile phones, about 300 grams of heroin, several bottles of liquor, and local weapons were recovered. He also claimed that the individuals present there could not give a satisfactory explanation regarding these items. Ishraq stated that after the operation, the police arrested and took away six people.
However, without official police investigation or independently verified information regarding the recovered items, the allegations against the arrested individuals, and the entire process of the operation, there is no scope to view his statement as a final decision.
'Did not commit any mistake,' yet expressed regret. Explaining his position on holding a firearm, Ishraq said that the weapon was not used to frighten or threaten anyone; he held it in his hand for a short time for his own security. He claimed that he holds valid licenses for a pistol and a rifle. He mentioned that the other weapon during the operation was with a licensed colleague.
At the press conference, Ishraq said that if anyone was injured or hurt by his actions during the operation, he expresses regret. At the same time, however, he claimed that he did not commit any mistake by taking the weapon in hand for his own security.
He further said that due to the video of the operation and media reports, the main objective of the anti-drug initiative has been overshadowed. Expressing frustration over the role of the media, he questioned why he was targeted in this manner.
On the other hand, the core question of the incident is not just the purpose of the anti-drug operation; issues such as how an elected representative will coordinate with law enforcement agencies and where the legal and institutional limits lie in participating in operations with a firearm have also come under discussion.
Announcement to run anti-drug programs even after resignation. Ishraq has stated that even though he is not in the post of state minister, he will not stop the initiative to eradicate drugs. Rather, not as a member of parliament or state minister, he wants to be more active in this activity as an activist of the BNP. In addition to the Dhaka-6 constituency, he expressed his desire to work in other areas as needed.
In his view, it is not possible to control drugs by just arresting retailers; the main suppliers and distribution network of drugs must be identified and brought under law. He has also called upon local residents to cooperate by providing information in this regard.
Ishraq claimed that after the 2024 mass uprising, there were various limitations in the normal functioning of law enforcement agencies. Due to a crisis of police personnel, lack of vehicles, and the fear of attacks by drug dealers, it had become difficult to conduct effective operations in the area. However, without independent verification of these statements and complete clarification from relevant authorities, it is difficult to determine the overall picture of the situation.
Interest in mayor election too, decision lies with BNP. Along with announcing his resignation from the post of state minister, Ishraq also faced questions regarding the Dhaka South City Corporation mayor election. Without making any direct electoral announcement, he stated that if the BNP and party chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman give him nomination, he is 100 percent ready to participate in the election.
Ishraq had contested as a BNP candidate in the Dhaka South City Corporation election held on February 1, 2020. Awami League's Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh won that election. Subsequently, centered around the verdict of the election tribunal and the gazette of the election commission, the matter of declaring Ishraq as mayor came to the forefront. However, legal complications and political opposition also arose regarding his oath-taking.
According to Ishraq, he has been working for a long time on the lack of central planning in Dhaka's urban management, lack of coordination among various service agencies, and the resolution of civic problems. He wants to utilize this experience in the mayor election.
However, he has made it clear that even if the party nominates someone else, he will work to ensure the victory of that candidate. That means, although he has an interest in the mayor post, he has left the final decision to the party leadership.
What is the political message for BNP? Ishraq's resignation incident is not limited to just stepping down from the responsibilities of a state minister. It has simultaneously brought to the forefront questions of accountability of political leadership, exercise of power by elected representatives, the role of law enforcement agencies, and the protection of the government's image.
According to Ishraq's statement, he resigned precisely to keep the party and government away from embarrassing situations. His decision can be seen as a step towards taking political responsibility. However, whether the controversy will end with the resignation will depend on the legal aspects of the operation, police investigation, the truth of the recovered materials, and the steps taken against the individuals involved.
At the same time, the announcement to continue anti-drug activities has created new questions. Building social resistance against drugs through the initiatives of elected representatives can be important, but lawful procedures, police leadership, and transparent accountability are essential to ensure the effectiveness and acceptability of that initiative.
All in all, Engineer Ishraq Hossain's announcement to step down from the post of state minister is a step for the BNP to manage immediate political controversy. However, the controversy of the operation with a firearm, legal questions, and his future political position—all three issues are likely to remain in discussion in the coming days.
