Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party sent a letter to Dhaka Metropolitan Police to hold rally in front of its central office at Nayapaltan in Dhaka if they don’t get police permission to hold rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on 5 January.

BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the remark at press briefing at the party’s central office on Sunday.

Rizvi alleged, ‘The ruling Awami League has announced counter programme to foil BNP’s rally and to lead the situation into conflict.’

The BNP leader told the government and DMP, ‘We have no objections to hold rally if you consider to give permission to hold rally at our central office. You don’t take away opposition party’s rights to hold rally. We’ve sent a letter to hold rally in front of our central office as well as Suhrawardy Udyan. Now we’ll observe how you act in favour of peace and democracy.’  

DMP will not allow programmes that may become conflicting

DMP commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia on Sunday said DMP will not permit Awami League and BNP to hold any programme that might instigate any clash on 5 January at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.

The DMP commissioner said, ‘There’s no reason to obstruct any peaceful programme. But, if the programmes are conflicting and threatening to public security, we won’t allow that programmes to be held.’

‘We’ll take decision over giving permission after getting inquiry reports,’ he added.   

‘Both AL and BNP have sought permission from the DMP in black and white to hold their rallies in the capital. We’ll also inform them about the updates of their pleas,’ the police officer added.

Permission for BNP’s rally after security assessment: Home Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday also said whether BNP will be given the permission or not to stage rally at Suhrawardy Udyan will be decided after the assessment of the security arrangement.

If there is any fear of insecurity, the law enforcing agencies will look into the matter and take proper steps, the home minister added.   

Bangladesh Nationalist Party has decided to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka to register its protest against the 5 January general election in 2014. BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed the decision after a joint meeting of the party held at the party’s Nayapaltan central office in Dhaka on Saturday.  

Awami League (AL) will hold rallies across the country on 5 January to observe ‘Victory Day for Democracy’, the 2nd anniversary of January 2014 election. The party has formed 18 teams, led by the party’s senior leaders, to organise the programme simultaneously at 2:30pm in different parts of the capital.