BNP set to wage tougher movement, announce demos from 19 May

BNP, along with its allies, is going to wage a tougher movement to realise its key demand for the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.    

As part of their anti-government movement, the party announced the phases of protests across the country from 19 May to press home their 10 point-demand, including the formation of a caretaker government.

"We will stage demonstrations in districts and metropolitan cities including Dhaka on 19, 20, 26, and 27 May," BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced while addressing a gathering in front of the party office in the capital's Nayapaltan area Saturday.

To join the pre-scheduled rally, hundreds of thousands of BNP men gathered in Nayapaltan, Kakrail, Paltan, and Fakirapool in the capital city and chanted slogans demanding the resignation of the government.

Mirza Fakhrul said, "Basically our demand is the only one that is the resignation of the government. Foreigners also know there can be no election under Hasina's government."

Fakhrul called upon the party men to jump into the movement to stop the election under the Hasina government.

Referring to the ongoing political events in Pakistan, Mirza Fakhrul said, "Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan was released by the Supreme Court of that country, and our court send us to jail cancelling the bail."

Alleging that the country's economy has been destroyed, and factories have been closed, Mirza Fakhrul said load shedding continues everywhere in the country as there is no electricity in the country.

A cyclonic storm is approaching the country, not only a natural storm, but a huge political storm is also coming towards Bangladesh, he added.

BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain criticised the government on the price hike of daily essentials, accusing them of money laundering.

He also lambasted the government over frequent load-shedding.

Mirza Abbas, another Standing Committee Member of the party, said, "The people of the country know how to oust an illegitimate government. There is no way to remain in power on the excuse of the Constitution. People will take to the street if the government does not comply with their demand for the caretaker government."

At the event, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury alleged that the Digital Security Act is a part of the vote-rigging project.

"The government officials who will assist in stealing votes will be identified in the future," the BNP leader warned.

BNP Senior Joint General Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the ruling government will not be able to save itself even after filing the false case against Ziaur Rahman.

Besides, Gono Odhikar Porishod, an ally of BNP, also announced demonstrations on 19 May to realise their demand for the formation of a caretaker government and protest against the price hike of essentials.

Economist Reza Kibria, the convenor of the party, told TBS that the government will not be given any more concessions, because of them people are crying in the market today, they are coming back empty-handed because of the price increase.

Former Ducsu Vice President Nurul Haque Nur, member secretary of Gono Odhikar Porishod, said "We are hopeful about gathering a huge crowd on the 19 May demonstration. We will stage a tougher movement against the government."

According to reliable sources, Jamaat-e-Islami, LDP, Ganatantra Mancha, 11 like-minded parties, and the 12-party alliance will also announce the demonstrations within one or two days.