Blockade to continue, reiterates BNP

BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said Tuesday that the 20-party alliance will continue their ongoing non-stop blockade programme until the current 'unrepresentative' regime quits, reports UNB.
In a statement, Rizvi said, "The main reason of our movement is to save democracy from the grasp of the current awful misrule. We want to clearly state that the blockade will continue until a government is installed through people's votes by removing the current illegal one."
He also urged the leaders and activists of the BNP-led 20- party alliance to carry on the blockade programme peacefully. "All must continue the blockade programme from their respective positions until the movement turns successful."
Rizvi, who is now acting as party spokesman after the arrest of BNP acting secretary general, made his party's stance clear a day after BNP vice-chairman Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed's remarks that they might withdraw their ongoing countrywide non-stop blockade programme if the government permits them to hold a rally in the city.
Replying to a question whether they will call off their blockade programme if the government allows them to hold a rally in Dhaka, Hafiz said, "This is a matter of the 20-party alliance to decide.  But, you'll surely see a positive step from our side."
Having failed to come out of her office on January 5 to attend a scheduled rally in the city to show their disapproval to the 10th parliamentary polls, Khaleda enforced the blockade programme for an indefinite period.
Rizvi said the blockaders are in favour of justice and truth and they are fighting against a repressive state power with an aim to restore people's voting rights.
Referring to recent arrests of some BNP leaders, he said the government unfairly arrested their leaders and activists regularly.  "False cases are being filed against opposition men for the subversive acts carried out by the ruling party cadres."