BNP, allies join national unity rally

Senior leaders of main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have joined the Dhaka rally of the ‘National Unity Process” convened by Gano Forum president Kamal Hossain.

The opposition alliance, which is yet to take a final shape, has called for restoration of democracy, reconstitution of the election commission, deployment of the army durng the elections, formation of a poll-time government for free and fair election and a complete change in future political culture of the country.

Some leaders of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, especially Khelafat Majlish and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam attended the meeting at Dhaka City that began at 3pm

Kamal Hossain himself went to the meeting venue minutes before 3pm, as his party’s supporters arrived there with small processions.

The BNP activists joined the rally with processions, chanting slogans demanding release of party chief Khaleda Zia and welcoming the national unity initiative.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the meeting around 3:15pm, followed by senior leaders Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed and Abdul Moyeen Khan.

Former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, who floated United Front, is scheduled to be the main speaker at the rally being chaired by Kamal Hossain.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal presdient ASM Abdur Rab, Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna – who are key allies of the United Front, also joined the rally. So did Zafrullah Chowdhury, Ganoshayastha Kendra chief, who is known to he a key coordinating figure in the unity process.