Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday protested the acceptance of Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha's resignation by President Abdul Hamid saying it is an 'ominous' sign for the nation.

"The President today (Tuesday) accepted the resignation letter of the Chief Justice who was unprecedentedly forced to quit. We strongly protest it as he (Sinha) didn't resign willingly," said BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.

Speaking at a discussion, he further said, "It's an ominous sign for the nation. It's also a stigmatised incident. The government has set a bad example through forcing the chief justice to quit."

Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal arranged the programme at National Press Club, marking what it said the 'National Revolution and Solidarity Day'.

Earlier in the day, President Abdul Hamid accepted the resignation letter of the chief justice who resigned on Saturday.

Mosharraf said Awami League got angry with the chief justice as he described the current parliament as 'dysfunctional' one in the verdict of the 16th amendment.

"We'd heard that the chief justice was supposed to hold hearing on a writ petition challenging the legality of 154 MPs who were elected unopposed. That's why the government in a heinous way sent him on forced leave making him falsely ill fearing he may declare the 154 MPs illegal," he observed.

The BNP leader said the government is trying to establish its control on both the lower and the higher judiciary to restore 'one-party' Baksal rule indirectly.

Mosharraf said there is no alternative to installing a pro-people government through a fair and acceptable election under a neutral election-time government to overcome the current situation.

He warned that people will not allow the ruling party this time to hold another lopsided election like January-5, 2014 one.

The BNP leader also said their chairperson Khaleda Zia will unveil the framework of an election-time supportive government at the right time.