BNP favours avoiding conflict, may not mark ‘Democracy Killing Day’


FE Team | Published: January 04, 2018 20:57:06 | Updated: January 05, 2018 11:32:02


BNP favours avoiding conflict, may not mark ‘Democracy Killing Day’

BNP is unlikely to arrange any programme in the capital on Friday to mark what the party calls 'Democracy Killing Day' to avoid confrontations. 

Earlier, the party was denied permission to hold its scheduled rally.

However, the party's all other metropolitan, district and upazila units will observe the day by bringing out black flag processions.

Talking to UNB, a number of BNP senior leaders said they are not going to hold any indoor or outdoor programmes in the capital as they do not want to involve in any confrontation now over political programmes.

They said their party's decision about the programme will be formally announced at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office at 11am on Friday, reports UNB.

Earlier in the day, BNP chairperson's advisers Abdus Salam, Abul Khaier Bhuiyan and party publicity affairs secretary Shaheed Uddin Chowdhury Anee had a meeting with the DMP Commissioner.

The DMP authorities urged the BNP delegation to arrange an indoor programme on Friday instead of going for outdoor one.

On Monday, BNP announced to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city and bring out black flag processions across the country on January 5 to observe the day as 'Democracy Killing Day' to register its protest against 10th parliamentary polls held on that day in 2014.

However, the party sought a fresh permission from the police and South City Corporation authorities on Wednesday for holding the programme at Nayapaltan as an Islamic party was allowed to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan the same day.

Awami League is going to mark the day as 'Victory Day for Democracy' holding two separate rallies at Banani field and Bangabandhu Avenue in the city.

Speaking at a programme at the Jatiya Press Club in the evening, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticised the government for denying their party the permission to arrange the rally while the ruling party is given permission to hold two rallies in the capital.

He said the government once again exposed its 'dual policy' over the permission to hold rallies in the city.

"Tomorrow (Friday) is the democracy killing day. Democracy was annihilated on January 5, 2014 by holding a lopsided election to restore one-party rule," the BNP leader told the programme arranged by pro-BNP Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad.

Describing January 5 as a black chapter in the nation's history, he also said the country's election system has been destroyed through the 10th parliamentary 'voter-less' elections.

Fakhrul said they will announce their next course of action after discussions with the senior leaders.

Contacted, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said they will wait until 11am for the permission to hold a rally at Nayapaltan.

"We'll announce our party's next course of action through a press conference at 11am, if we're not given permission by the time to hold the programme," he added.

A BNP standing committee member, wishing anonymity, said the government made a mistake in the year of national election by denying their party permission to hold the rally.

"We don't want to make a mistake by indulging in fight with police and ruling party men over the programme. Instead, we'll present the government's undemocratic attitude before people and the foreign friends to justify our demand for holding the next polls under a neutral government," he added.

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