BNP announces black-flag march on new parliament's opening day

The BNP has announced a black-flag march programme on 30 January, aligning with the inaugural session of the new parliament.

BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy made the announcement at a rally outside the party office in Nayapaltan before initiating a black-flag march on Saturday. 

The BNP will enforce the march programme to protest the price hike of daily essentials and press home their demand for dissolution of the new parliament citing it as "Illegal," and the release of party chairperson Khaleda Zia and other leaders and activists.

It is also demanding the withdrawal of all political cases against their party activists and leaders. 

Earlier on the day, BNP leaders and activists started their planned black flag march around 12:30pm to take part in the second day of the party's protest programme. 

On the other hand, the ruling Awami League held a peace rally at 3pm on Saturday in Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital. 

With two rallies scheduled in the city on the same day, additional members of the police were seen deployed in and around those areas, alongside law enforcement officials in plainclothes.

Preparations for the BNP's march began this morning, including the construction of a temporary stage using two trucks.

At the event venue, party men were seen carrying black flags, banners, and festoons, and chanting slogans demanding the release of Begum Khaleda Zia.