BNP, allies to stage countrywide demonstration Apr 11, Apr 25

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BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir speaking at a rally in front of party's Naya Paltan central office in the city Saturday in protest against increase in power tariff. — Banglar Chokh Photo

The BNP-led four party alliance and other like-minded political parties will organise countywide demonstrations on April 11 and April 25 in protest against a number of issues, including price hike of essentials and the deteriorating law and order situation, reports UNB.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes from a big rally in front of the BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the capital Satudsay afternoon.
On April 11, protest rallies will be held and processions will be brought out at thana, district and city levels across the country protesting the price hike of essentials and the government's 'failure' to supply gas, electricity and water to people.
On April 25, protest rallies will be held and processions will be taken out at thana, district and city levels across the country in protest against the government's 'failure' to check frequent killings and abductions and the worsening law and order situation.
The four-party alliance's Dhaka city unit and other like-minded political parties organised the demonstration protesting the 'government repressive measures' against the opposition leaders and workers, particularly centring the March 12 grand rally in the capital.
Mirza Fakhrul urged the government to reduce the power tariff and take steps to cut down load-shedding. Or else, he warned, they will be compelled to announce even tougher programmes.
Addressing the demonstration as the chief guest, Mirza Fakhrul asked the ruling party to restore the caretaker government (CG) provision within the 90-day ultimatum issued to the government by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on March 12 to hold the next general election under the non-party caretaker administration to transfer power to people's government.
Otherwise, he cautioned, there will be no escape route for the government to avert public wraths.
About the Prime Minister's recent statements at different parts of the country, Mirza Fakhrul said her statements proved that the government has become totally unnerved as it did not do anything for people.
Referring to Sheikh Hasina's remarks that BNP had come to power in 2001 by giving undertakings to sell gas to India, he questioned, "Has Awami League (AL) come to power by giving undertakings to India this time?"
He said the government has provided various facilities to India sacrificing national interests.
Describing that the country is in bad shape, the BNP acting secretary general said now there is no option but to oust the government.
Addressing the rally, BNP standing committee member MK Anwar, MP criticised the remarks of Speaker Abdul Hamid in parliament on March 29.
He said opposition leader Khaleda Zia clearly stated in her speech in the House on March 20 that there will be no election without the CG.
Some BNP leaders strongly protested the recent remarks of AL joint secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hani that they would drive out Khaleda Zia from the country through a war, if necessary.
BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas asked the AL leader to hold his tongue otherwise, he said, people will come up with a befitting reply.
Chaired by Dhaka city BNP convenor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, the rally was addressed, among others, by BNP leaders Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia, Dr Moyeen Khan, Adullah Al Noman, Amanullah Aman, Fazlul Huq Milon, Zainul Abdin Farroque, MP, Abdus Salam, Moazzem Hossian Alal, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne, MP, Shirin Sultana, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku and Sharafat Ali Sapu, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders Mojibur Rahman and Hamidur Rahman Azad, MP, BJP secretary general Shamim Al Mamun, IOJ secretary general Abdul Latif Nezami and Hamidur Rahman of Islamic Party.