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BNP’s city rally unlikely today

January 05, 2018 00:00:00


As the party was denied permission to hold its scheduled rally, BNP is unlikely to arrange any programme in the capital today (Friday) to mark what the party calls 'Democracy Killing Day' to avoid confrontations.

However, the party's all other metropolitan, district and upazila units will observe the day by bringing out black flag processions.

Talking to UNB, a number of BNP senior leaders said they are not going to hold any indoor or outdoor programmes in the capital as they do not want to involve in any confrontation now over political programmes.

They said their party's decision about the programme will be formally announced at a press conference at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office at 11am today (Friday).

Earlier in the day, BNP chairperson's advisers Abdus Salam, Abul Khaier Bhuiyan and party publicity affairs secretary Shaheed Uddin Chowdhury Anee had a meeting with the DMP Commissioner.

The DMP authorities urged the BNP delegation to arrange an indoor programme on Friday instead of going for outdoor one.

On Monday, BNP announced to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan 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.

Speaking at a programme at the Jatiya Press Club in the evening, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticised the government for denying their party the permission to arrange the rally while the ruling party is given permission to hold two rallies in the capital.

He said the government once again exposed its 'dual policy' over the permission to hold rallies in the city.

"Tomorrow (Friday) is the democracy killing day. Democracy was annihilated on January 5, 2014 by holding a lopsided election to restore one-party rule," the BNP leader told the programme arranged by pro-BNP Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad.

Describing January 5 as a black chapter in the nation's history, he also said the country's election system has been destroyed through the 10th parliamentary 'voter-less' elections.

Fakhrul said they will announce their next course of action after discussions with the senior leaders.

Contacted, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said they will wait until 11am for the permission to hold a rally at Nayapaltan.

"We'll announce our party's next course of action through a press conference at 11am, if we're not given permission by the time to hold the programme," he added.


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