Dhaka, Jan 3 (Just News): Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Wednesday asked the government to allow it to hold its planned rally at Naya Paltan in Dhaka 5 January (Friday) as an alternative venue.
The principal opposition party earlier wanted to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan to observe the anniversary of the 5 January 2014 controversial elections that the BNP boycotted and that brought Awami League to power again.
The government has in the meantime given permission to an Islam-based party to hold the rally at the preferred venue (Suhrawardy Udyan) on the day, the BNP’s senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said.
Speaking at a press briefing at the BNP’s central office, he said they have sought fresh permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and South City Corporation (DSCC) authorities for holding the rally at the alternative venue.
On Monday, the BNP announced to hold the rally in Dhaka and bring out black flag processions across the country on 5 January to observe the day as ‘Democracy Killing Day’.
“We would like to believe that the government will show respect for the BNP’s democratic rights, and give it the scope for holding a peaceful rally by giving permission for the programme,” Rizvi said.
“We also seek permission for holding the rally in front of our Nayapaltan central office on 5 January if Suhrawardy Udyan is not allowed to be used as a venue.”
The BNP leader alleged that the government has given an unknown Islamic party the permission for holding a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on 5 January, ignoring the application of the country’s major party, the BNP.
“The government has a blueprint and it’s making a mockery over 5 January. We’ve seen the manifestation of its mockery as it has given a not-so-known party permission (for holding a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan),” he observed.
He said the government has exposed its vindictive policy towards the BNP by not giving it permission for the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan.
(Justnews/ys/2310hr)
