Quit playing games with polls: Fakhrul

The BNP will announce fresh programmes in a couple of days to press home its one-point demand for the resignation of the government, said the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday.

The Awami League government has destroyed all the achievements of the nation's independence, he told a rally in the capital's Badda, from where several thousand activists marched to Chowdhury Para.

"They have destroyed democracy, the economy, and the educational institutions. What they have destroyed the most is the country's judiciary. Using the judiciary, they are punishing our leaders and activists in false cases," he said.

However, incarceration and torture will not stop the movement, he told the rally.

The BNP will not let the AL play games with the national election, he said, "If you do not step down on your own, you will be brought down…"

The AL wants to hold an election that resembles the ones held in 2014 and 2018, he said.

The election must be held under a new Election Commission, he said, adding that no election could be held under the Sheikh Hasina-led government.

At another rally held by Dhaka city (south) BNP on Kamalapur Road, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said, "Many of our leaders and activists have been injured in police firing, and many have lost their eyes. Sheikh Hasina is resorting to torture to stay in power."

The Election Commission has lost the constitutional right to hold an election, he added.

After the brief rally, the activists marched to Malibagh level-crossing.

BNP activists and supporters from the capital and neighbouring districts took part in the two processions that ended around 5:00pm.

A large number of police armed with water cannons, and armoured vehicles were seen on the streets during the processions.

The events caused severe traffic congestion on different streets in the areas.