Retreat from Gazipur rally a part of strategy: BNP

BNP spokesman Mirza Fakhrul Islam said on Tuesday they retreated from their firm stance on holding their rally in Gazipur on Saturday following the imposition of Section 144 as part of their strategy for waging a greater movement, reports UNB.  

"There're different stages, phases and strategies of a movement. A political party works out its action programmes in line with the strategies… we took the decision on that day for the sake of a greater movement," he said replying to a question from reporters.  

Fakhrul, the BNP acting secretary general, was talking to journalists after placing wreaths at the grave of party founder late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar along with leaders and activists of Krishak Dal, marking its 34th founding anniversary.  He said Monday's hartal was part of their preparation for going for a decisive movement.

Claiming that their hartal programme was successful, the BNP leader said their movement will be intensified in the days to come.

The BNP- led 20-party was to hold a rally on the Bhawal Badre Alam Government College ground on Saturday, but ruling party's student body Chhatra League threatened to foil it as BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman at a programme in London called Bangabandhu a Razakar, prompting the local administration to impose Section 144 in the city and venue area on Friday, prohibiting all political programmes there.