No BNP sit-ins planned for Oct 28 rally, says Mirza Fakhrul

BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said there are no plans to stage any sit-in protests during the party’s ‘mass rally’ in Dhaka on Oct 28.

In a media briefing on Sunday, he assured a ‘peaceful’ rally, emphasising that there won’t be any ‘big’ demonstration to kick off a series of non-stop activities aimed at unseating the Awami League government ahead of the elections.

Mirza Fakhrul alleged that the ruling party was spreading ‘false propaganda’ about BNP leaders and activists planning to ‘sit on the streets’ during the upcoming rally.

“This is entirely inaccurate. We have not instructed any of our party leaders and activists to gather and stay in Dhaka. After the programme, everyone will go back and await the next event.”

The BNP secretary general added that the party has taken adequate steps to ensure that the gathering ends peacefully.

The BNP had earlier said it would pause its tough programmes for Durga Puja and hold fresh demonstrations after the festival.

The country’s largest opposition group demands that the next parliamentary polls, expected in early January, be overseen by a caretaker government to ensure a free and fair election.

The party boycotted the election in 2014 and alleged vote rigging and intimidation during the 2018 polls, which were held under an Awami League government.

The Awami League has refused to step down before the election, arguing that such an unelected government will be unconstitutional, and would damage the country’s politics and development.