BNP, allies hold rally, procession today to protest against AL acts

The BNP and its allies -- Jammat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) and Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) -- will organise joint rallies and processions in all district headquarters.

In Dhaka, the alliance will hold a rally at Muktangan at 4:00pm and secretaries general of the four parties will address the rally.

The programme was finalised at the July 2 meeting of top leaders of the alliance with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the chair.

BNP sources said today's rally has been shifted to Muktangan from Paltan Maidan as the National Sports Council declined to give permission.

BNP Secretary General and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan in a statement has asked leaders and activists of the alliance and its front organisations to join the programmes at Muktangan in Dhaka and all district headquarters.

He said the Awami League (AL) has launched campaign at home and abroad against the government in an attempt to ruin the country's image after its massive defeat in the October 1, 2001 general election.

Bhuiyan said the AL tried to jeopardise the communal harmony in a planned way with the former prime minister speaking against Bangladesh abroad.

Due to her campaign, the BNP secretary general said that expatriate Bangladeshis were facing various difficulties and troubles.