BNP to hold rallies in all divisions before Eid

Bangladesh's main opposition political party has decided to hold massive rallies in all divisional cities before the Eid festival to be held in the second week of the coming month in demand of the party's detained chief release.  

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) took the decision on Friday at a meeting of its standing committee, the highest decision making body of the party, held at party chief Begum Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office in capital city Dhaka.

 “She [Khaleda Zia] is now in the hospital for treatment. So far, we know that her health condition has not improved,” BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who chaired the meeting, told media later.

Referring to long imprisonment and health condition of Khaleda, Alamgir demanded for immediate releasing of her and giving proper treatment.

The meeting also asked leaders and activists at all levels of the party to help flood-hit people in the affected areas.

Earlier, BNP held a public meeting in Barishal on July 18 (Thursday), while a public meeting in Chattogram will be held on Saturday and in Khulna on July 25. The dates for public meetings in other divisions will be determined in consultation with local leaders.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who is now living in London in self-exile, joined the meeting through Skype.

The BNP leader said the meeting expressed deep concern over the deterioration of the flood situation due to excessive rains and onrush of waters. “We call upon party leaders and activists at all levels to stand beside the flood-affected people,” Alamgir added.

He also said the meeting also decided to start activities to send relief materials to the flood victims.

Meanwhile, Zainul Abedin Farroque, a member of BNP chairperson's advisory council and ex-chief whip, on Friday said the party would soon take to the streets to demand the release of Khaleda Zia. He was speaking at a human chain programme.

“Our party will take tough action programmes soon to strengthen our movement for releasing (BNP chairperson) Khaleda Zia from jail. Over one lakh people joined our grand rally in Barishal yesterday (Thursday). A large number of people will also take part in our rallies in Chattogram on Saturday and in Khulna on July 25,” he said.

“We hope the government will soon take steps for freeing Khaleda Zia. Otherwise, its throne will be shaken in the face of a strong movement across the country.”

Kamruzzaman