BNP’s Dhaka rally now on 12 Mar

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday rescheduled its 11 March public rally for 12 March in the capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan demanding the release of its chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the revised scheduled of their planned rally at a press conference at the party’s Naya Paltan central office, reports UNB.

“We declared yesterday (Thursday) to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on 11 March. We’ve now deferred our rally to 12 March. We’ve also completed all the necessary processes in this regard,” he said.

The BNP leader said they have sent letters to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner and public works department seeking permission for the rally. “We hope that they’ll allow us this time to hold the rally.”

Rizvi also said earlier their party was denied permission to hold a rally on 22 February at the same venue showing causes of International Mother Language Day programme and Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

On 8 February, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was sent to jail after a special court sentenced her to five years’ rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Earlier, the party sought permission to hold a rally either at Suhrawardy Udyan or in front of its Naya Paltan central office on 22 February, but it was denied by the authorities concerned.

Turning to the Dhaka Bar Association elections, he urged the administration to ensure a congenial atmosphere for vote counting properly.