BNP men gather at Nayapaltan ahead of today's rally

BNP leaders and activists have been arriving at the party's Nayapaltan headquarters from 9:00am today to take part in their one-point movement.

The rally will start at 2:00pm as announced earlier.

Hundreds of party men have been chanting slogans in front of the party office, our correspondent reports from the spot. 

However, senior leaders of the party have not yet arrived at the venue.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will formally announce the party's one-point demand for the government -- step down and give way to a non-partisan polls-time government.

The rally is organised by the Dhaka city unit (North and South) of the BNP. A temporary stage has been set up in front of the party office.

Party members arrived at the rally venue in brief processions from different wards wearing coulourful caps, carrying placards and posters, and chanting anti-government chants.

Vehicular movement has been limited on one side of the road in the Nayapaltan area.

Meanwhile, a large number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed in the Nayapaltan area.

BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo earlier said, "The BNP and its like-minded parties have agreed that they will launch a one-point movement. And an outline of the joint declaration for the state reform proposal may be announced at the rally."

BNP leaders said the announcement of the one-point demand during the two delegations' visit is significant to them.

The US and EU delegates will talk about democracy, election and human rights and see the public support for BNP, said a senior leader, wishing not to be named.

"We want to send the message that we have public support and the organisational means to realise our demands. We will say this at our meeting with the EU delegates," said the leader.

BNP activists and leaders have been working for the last few days to ensure a gathering that reflects its strength.