BNP now wants to hold rally at Nayapaltan

BNP urged the government on Wednesday to allow the party to hold its planned rally at Nayapaltan on Friday as a venue alternative to Suhrawardy Udyan, reports UNB.

Speaking at a press briefing at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said they have sought a fresh permission from the police and South City Corporation authorities for holding the programme at Nayapaltan as an Islamic party was allowed to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan the same day.

Earlier on Monday, BNP announced to hold a rally in the city and bring out black flag processions across the country on January 5 to observe the day as 'Democracy Killing Day' to register its protest against 10th parliamentary polls held on that day in 2014.

Rizvi said, "We would like to believe that the government will show respect for BNP's democratic rights, and give it a scope for holding a peaceful rally by providing permission for the programme," he said.

"We also seek permission for holding the rally in front of our Nayapaltan central office on January 5 if Suhrawardy Udyan is not allowed to be used as a venue," he added.

Rizvi alleged that the government has given an unknown Islamic party the permission for holding a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on January 5 ignoring the application of the country's major party BNP.

"The government has a deep-rooted blueprint and it's making a mockery over January 5. We've seen the manifestation of its mockery as it has given an infamous party permission (for holding a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan)," he observed.

He also said the government has exposed its vindictive policy towards BNP by not giving it permission for the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan.