The BNP has indicated Naya Paltan as its second preference for its planned rally on Jan 5, if permission is denied to hold it at the Suhrawardy Udyan.
Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said at a media call on Sunday that they have stated their preferred alternative venue, opposite the party’s headquarters, in a letter to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
“Now let us see how much you (the government) are in favour of peace…and democracy. You cannot hide behind a veil of nasty politics,” he said.
The country’s two major political parties – the Awami League and the BNP – had adopted separate programmes last year on the first anniversary of the 10th parliamentary polls held on Jan 5, 2014.
The plans had led to confrontations, violence and insecurity.
The BNP had boycotted the 2014 election, demanding a caretaker government to oversee the polls, giving the Awami League a virtual walkover.
Both parties on Saturday again announced their programmes of diametrically opposite mood and intent to be held on the same day at the same venue, Suhrawardy Udyan, to mark the second anniversary of the last national election.
The BNP’s Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced his party’s programme at Suhrawardy Udyan on Jan 5, labelling the occasion as ‘Murder of Democracy Day’.
But soon afterwards, the ruling party, too, announced its programme at the same place and additionally in 17 others spots across Dhaka to celebrate the day as ‘a Victory Day for Democracy’.
The DMP are yet to decide on which party to allow at the Suhrawardy Udyan.
DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia told reporters on Sunday: “Public security is of prime importance to the law-enforcing agencies. If we perceive a threat to public peace, we may not give permission to any of the two parties.”
He said the DMP had no objection to the holding of peaceful rallies irrespective of the venue. “In fact, both parties are welcome to meet us jointly.”
But Rizvi urged the government to let the BNP hold its rally at the alternative venue it has suggested in order to avoid confrontation and clashes.
Such permission would be in keeping with the spirit of democracy, he added.
When asked what the BNP planned to do if denied permission to hold a rally at Naya Paltan as well, he said, “We will announce that on Jan 5. There is still time. The permission might come at the last moment.”
Source: bdnews24