Dhaka, Oct. 19 -- Ishraque Hossain has arrived at the National Press Club with leaders and activists to announce his resignation as state minister for Liberation War affairs.

The move comes amid a row over an "anti-drug drive" in which he was seen with a weapon in hand.

The Dhaka-6 lawmaker entered the Press Club at 12:45pm on Monday with several hundred supporters, ahead of the 2pm time he had set for the announcement.

His supporters kept up the chants as they walked in: "Ishraque Bhai of the streets, we haven't forgotten you; Ishraque Bhai of the streets, you have nothing to fear; Ishraque Bhai has no fear, we haven't left the streets."

Ishraque, the eldest son of Sadeque Hossain Khoka, the last mayor of the undivided Dhaka City Cor...