BNP leader Ishraque Hossain stated that the government's aggressive effort to prevent the BNP's mayoral candidate from taking office in Dhaka clearly signals how it intends to handle the upcoming national elections. He said, “This has never been about a mayoral position—it’s about exposing the corrupt ambitions of those in power under the interim government.” Ishraque accused officials of abandoning neutrality and instead serving partisan interests. He added, “Like Hasina, they have threatened judges, challenged the Election Commission, and interfered with the higher judiciary.” He concluded, “We will either win our rights or be buried under the soil. There will be no compromise on democracy or voting rights.”