Dhaka: The BNP-led 20-party alliance will now stage demonstrations across the country on Sunday instead of Saturday protesting the price hike of gas and power.

The combine rescheduled the programme as the Hindu community will celebrate Janmashtami on Saturday, said a statement signed by BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan on Wednesday night.

Earlier in the day, another statement signed by the BNP leader announced the protest programme for Saturday.

In the statement, BNP alleged that the government is compelling people to shoulder the burden of thousands of crores of taka it spent in the name of installing quick renal power plant.

It demanded immediate withdrawal of the price hike decision terming it injustice, anti-people and illogical one.

BNP urged people to raise united protests against such anti-people decision of the government, otherwise, it will increase gas price further in December next.

The government has increased power prices by 2.97 percent and gas prices by 26.29 percent with effect from 1 September.

This is the first political programme of the 20-party alliance after its three-month hartal and blockade since 5 January.