Reiterating that its programmes will be peaceful, BNP on Friday urged the government to permit the 20-party alliance to stage its scheduled rally in the city on Monday.
“Our rally will be peaceful one. We’re committed to ensuring democracy and peace. We hope the government will allow us to stage the rally on January 5 for the sake of peace,” BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said.
The BNP leader came up with the call while addressing a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.Rizvi urged the police administration to ensure security for their programme alongside giving permission for it.
Asked what if the government finally denies them permission, Rizvi said, “Holding a rally is our democratic right. We want to clearly state we’ll hold our peaceful programme under any circumstances.”
He also warned that the government will be held responsible for any evolving situation following the denial of permission for the 20-party’s programme.
Rizvi said their past peaceful rallies are examples that BNP holds their programmes peacefully.
He said though they had sought permission from the authorities concerned days back, the police administration is unnecessarily buying time in permitting them for their scheduled rally. “We don’t know what’s their intention is. “Does the ruling party want to launch a war?”
The BNP leader came down hard on Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad for making ‘offensive’ remarks against their party chairperson Khaleda Zia from his party’s Suhrawardy Udyan rally on Thursday, and branded him as a ‘cruel ‘Razakar, UNB reported.
Meanwhile, BNP’s Standing Committee member Abdul Moin Khan has reiterated that the party will hold a rally even if police do not give permission.
The BNP leader, accompanied by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists, placed wreaths at the mazar of Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Friday.
“Jan 5 is the Democracy Killing Day. The government held vote-less polls on that day last year. We have announced a rally in Dhaka on that day.
“Our statement is clear; it is the government’s concern whether they will permit a rally on that day or not. We will do what we must.”
On Thursday night, the party’s Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, “We must hold the Jan 5 programmes and we will proceed with this.”
State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal spoke to journalists on Friday morning.
“If there are possibilities of acts of sabotage, they (BNP) will not be allowed to hold a rally. The law enforcers are looking into the matter,” he said.
The BNP announced rallies and parades with black flag across the country on Jan 5, the day the ruling Awami League plans to celebrate one year in power terming it consttution and democracy protection Day.
The party has sought police permission to hold a rally at Suhrawardi Udyan or Shapla Chattar or in front of their Naya Paltan office but there had been no response from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
“The Awami (League) people do not believe in democracy, so they cannot tolerate dissent. They don’t allow opposition party to hold rallies and gatherings. Democracy is now on exile,” Moin Khan added.
“They have sealed all democratic scopes. There is no choice except for a movement for a way out (of this situation).”
Another report says, BNP leader Khandaker Mahbub Hossain has said the party will ‘start a new journey to retrieve democracy’ from Jan 5.
Khandaker Mahbub Hossain who is also the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association has said his party will ‘start a new journey to retrieve democracy’ from Jan 5.
The chairperson’s advisory council member, speaking at a discussion in Dhaka on Friday, said, “The Jan 5 polls were unilateral.”
“Khaleda Zia proposed a seven-point plan on Wednesday to end the political crisis over the election.”
The party chief had pitched a seven-point plan before the government and other stakeholders to resolve the situation.
“I will tell the government that don’t waste time anymore. Hold discussions on her (Khaleda) proposal.
“This Jan 5 will be different from last year’s. A new journey to retrieve democracy will start that day,” said Mahbub Hossain.
The outcome will be ‘horrible’ if steps were not taken to hold discussions soon, the Supreme Court lawyer warned.
The BNP held demonstrations styled, ‘March for Democracy’, on Dec 29, 2013 to thwart last year’s Jan 5 polls.
Mahbub Hossain said, “The people had agitated in support of the countrywide movement that day. The leader (Khaleda) was confined to her home with a sand-laden truck.”
“This Jan 5 will be different. The final game will start that day if the rally (in Dhaka) is not permitted.”
“The government is sitting atop a dormant volcano. They don’t understand that it is not possible to remain in power by force for a long time.”
“So I will urge the government to take realistic steps to discuss (the matter) to avoid the wrath of the people. Or else, the outcome will be horrible once the seven points are reduced to one point.”
The core idea of Khaleda’s proposal is the immediate holding of parliamentary election under a ‘neutral’ administration to be formed following a consensus among ‘contending parties’.- bdnews24.com
