Dispelling all speculations and braving numerous obstacles, the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Saturday held a massive rally peacefully in Dhaka, from where the party announced a simultaneous anti-government movement based on 10 points.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain came up with announcement while speaking at the mammoth rally at Golapbagh ground.
Their 10-point demand include the resignation of the government, dissolution of parliament, including the provision of the caretaker government in the constitution through an amendment, formation of a new Election Commission under the caretaker government, creating a level-playing field before the election, holding the election using ballot papers, releasing BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and all other political prisoners unconditionally and revoking the Digital Security Act and other repressive laws, ensuring the freedom of expression and assembly and keeping all essential items within the buying capacity of people.
Tens of thousands of people from the capital and different parts of the country joined the rally and crowd spilled over on to several square kilometers around the rally venue.
Before joining the rally, the party’s all seven MPs resigned from the Parliament by sending their resignation letter through an email.
BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said lakhs of people joined the rally as they want to get rid of the fascist misrule of the current regime.
He alleged that the government had been trying to hang onto power by suppressing the opposition using law enforcers as it lost ground beneath its feet.
BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The party has already arranged rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, Faridpur, Sylhet, Cumilla and Rajshahi braving various obstacles and transport strikes.
BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government — a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not allow it to happen.
