BNP started its grand rally today (October 28) in front of its Nayapaltan central office with the participation of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies to press home their one-point demand for holding the upcoming national election under a non-party government.
The rally formally began around 12:45pm with the recitation from the holy Quran, although it is scheduled to begin at 2 pm.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the programme as the chief guest and announce their next course of action in favour of their movement.
Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies have already gathered in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
Wearing colourful caps, carrying banners, festoons, placards and portraits of the party’s top leaders, they were shouting anti-government slogans as they converged on the venue.
The roads and streets stretching from Kakrail to Arambagh are overflowing with BNP activists, causing traffic congestion in the area.
Many party leaders and activists reported encountering security checks and barriers at entry points and various locations in Dhaka. The presence of buses on the streets was notably scarce.
The rally is being organized by BNP's Dhaka North and South city units to push for the opposition's singular demand for conducting the upcoming national election under a non-partisan government.
In addition to BNP, other like-minded political parties and alliances have also prepared for separate rallies in various parts of the city to emphasize their one-point demand.
Previously, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) granted permission on Friday evening for both Awami League and BNP to hold their rallies at the South Gate of Baitul Mukarram and Nayapaltan, respectively, under certain conditions.
Furthermore, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami announced their intention to hold a rally at Shapla Chattar, but the program was not permitted, raising concerns about potential confrontations with law enforcement.
On October 18, BNP announced the grand rally in the capital, marking the "final phase" of their ongoing movement against the current government.
BDST: 1350 HRS, OCT 28, 2023
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