Weather forces alliance to defer rally to Oct 19

Sources in the BNP said all preparations were set for the rally, but the torrential rain due to depression in the Bay led to the postponement of the programme.

A huge marquee was erected and security personnel deployed in and around Paltan Maidan till 1:00pm. The public meeting was finally called off when the organisers saw no sign that the rain would stop.

Asked why the fresh date that has been set is so far away, a policymaker of the BNP said it would not be possible to reorganise the rally within the next couple of days and the prime minister will also be leaving for Malaysia shortly to attend the OIC conference.

On her return, the PM can attend the rally scheduled for the fresh date, he added.

Earlier, the news of the postponement of the rally was aired by radio and television and also by microphones across the city. Despite that move, a large number of people went to attend the meeting.