Home ›› 11 Dec 2022 ›› Front
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will stage demonstrations in all major cities of the country on December 13 protesting the attack on and arrest of its leaders and activists, including party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas.
Besides, the party will wage an anti-government movement across the country on December 24 to press home its 10-point demand for the restoration of democracy.
BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain made the announcement at the Dhaka divisional rally held at Golapbagh field on Saturday.
While speaking as the chief guest he said, “This rally is sending a message that the people of the country are not willing to be deceived anymore. They want a democratic state where their rights will be established.”
All the parties who have reached an understanding with them to initiate a simultaneous movement will move forward and intensify the anti-government agitation, he added.
The demands include the resignation of the government, dissolution of parliament, inclusion of the caretaker government provision 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 without any condition and revoke the Digital Security Act and other repressive laws, ensuring freedom of expression and keeping all essential items within the buying capacity of people.
Dispelling all speculations and braving numerous obstacles, BNP on Saturday held a massive rally peacefully in the capital. Thousands of people from the capital and different parts of the country joined the rally and the crowd spread over several square kilometres around the rally venue.
Seven BNP MPs announce resignation
Seven BNP lawmakers have announced their resignation at the party’s Golapbagh rally in Dhaka on Saturday.
BNP International Affairs Secretary Rumeen Farhana announced the decision on their resignation.
The MPs who resigned are: Md. Zahidur Rahman of Thakurgaon-3 constituency, Md. Mosharof Hosen of Bogura-4 constituency, Gulam Mohammad Siraj of Bogura-6 constituency, Md. Aminul Islam of Chapainawabganj-2 constituency, Md. Harunur Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3 constituency, Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan of Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, and Rumeen Farhana, elected as BNP MP from women’s reserved seat.
Rumeen said the MPs sent their resignation through e-mail and will physically submit those to the speaker on Sunday.
“We do not get any benefit as MPs. We joined parliament to see how much space we get. So, we have announced resignation,” she said.
BNP supporters excited centering the rally
The Golapbagh ground was filled to the brim even before the BNP rally started. Later, BNP leaders and activists spread to the surrounding areas.
A number of BNP leaders and activists said lakhs of people joined the rally as they want to get rid of the ‘fascist misrule’ of the current regime.
They also alleged that the government has been trying to cling to power by suppressing the opposition using law enforcers.
While visiting the spot from morning to 12 noon, it was seen that the BNP leaders and supporters spread over the rally ground to Arambagh, Kamalapur railway station, TTpara area. Besides, they have spread from Saidabad bus terminal to Jatrabari-Dayaganj and Maniknagar areas.
While talking to this correspondent in Kamalapur area, some BNP leaders and activists who came from different parts of the country said that they will not leave the streets until the fall of this government.
BNP activists no longer fear lawsuits and death, they said, adding that BNP will not do politics of violence. They will topple the government through the democratic movement, they warned.
