Dhaka: The BNP-led 20-Party Alliance is likely to announce a two-day demonstration programme soon to protest the fresh hike in power and gas tariffs.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the top leaders of the alliance held at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office on Sunday night.

Liberal Democratic Party president Oli Ahmed told journalists after the meeting, ‘We’ve elaborately discussed the hike in power and gas prices. Our programmes including protest against the price hike will be announced very soon.’

Labour party Chairman Mustafizur Rahman Iran said they have discussed various issues related to public sufferings.

‘Our alliance leaders proposed different programmes such as demonstration, rally, human chain and distribution of leaflets to mobilize public opinion against the price hike of gas and power and the government’s other misdeeds.’

He said they entrusted the responsibility of finalising the action programme with Khaleda Zia.

An alliance leader wishing anonymity said the two-day demonstration programme will be announced either on 2 or 3 September for 5 and 6 September in all divisional cities and district upazila headquarters.

The hour-long meeting began at about 7:50pm with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the chair.

At the beginning of the meeting, it expressed deep shock over the death of 20-Party’s partner Jatiya Party (Z) Chairman Kazi Zafar Ahmed.

A prayer was also offered seeking salvation of the departed soul.

Another alliance leader said the BNP chief urged her alliance leaders to be vocal against enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, the government’s misdeeds and imposition of VAT on private universities and medicals.