Dhaka, May 22 -- BNP leader Ishraque Hossain has announced a 48-hour suspension of the ongoing protest demanding he be sworn in as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

He made the call on Thursday afternoon after the High Court rejected a petition that sought to block his oath-taking.

He also apologised for the public inconvenience caused by the protest, which had brought operations at DSCC's Nagar Bhaban to a halt.

Ishraque arrived outside the chief advisor's residence, State Guest House Jamuna, in the afternoon, where supporters were holding the "Dhakabashir Obosthan", or "Dhaka Residents' Sit-in", programme.

Speaking there, he said: "We were forced to take to the streets because the government failed to act."

Thanking par...