Two mayors of Dhaka, Atiqul Islam and Mohammad Sayeed Khokon, are currently in Copenhagen, Denmark, to take part in the C-40 mayor summit. Sayeed Khokon has left a councillor as the acting mayor, but in north city, Atiqul Islam did not give temporary responsibility to anyone.

Local government specialist, Tofail Ahmed, said: “As per local government and city corporation law-2009 if a mayor is absent or ill then s/he has to appoint a replacement.”

While routine work is going on at the south city, the north part remains inactive, provoking indignation from panel mayors.

At the north city, there are two-panel mayors but they are never given responsibility. Since taking over as mayor on Mar 7 last, Atiqul Islam, has gone out of the country five times, spending between 3 and 10 days. During these overseas trips, he did not entrust anyone with the duty.

Panel mayor Jamal Mostafa says: “He (Atiqul Islam) never gave us any instruction and why he didn’t do so is known to him and the ministry.”

DNCC’s chief executive officer Abdul Hye, said: “I am not aware of the legal position.”

Local government minister Md Tajul Islam was not available to offer his opinion.