Peaceful movement to oust govt

BNP leaders in Chittagong yesterday threatened to launch a mass movement to oust the current government.

The protests will be peaceful and non-violent, they said while addressing a rally in Kazir Dewri area of the port city, marking the party's 40th founding anniversary.

Speaking as the chief guest, BNP Vice Chairman Abdullah Al Noman said people would take to the street anytime and start a mass uprising. “The country is facing an explosive situation. There will be an outburst anytime,” he said.

Noman said, “The government is well informed about it. That's why they are conspiring against Tarique Zia and Khaleda Zia.”

He said Chittagong has shown the nation many a time the way out of chaos. “This time, we will launch the anti-government movement from Chittagong,” he added.

Reiterating their demand, he said BNP would not go to polls unless party Chairperson Khaleda Zia is freed from jail.

The senior leader also threatened to resist with full strength the new “scheme” of the government to rig the election through electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Urging party activists to forge strong unity forgetting discord, he said there is no alternative to a movement. “We need unity to wage that movement.”

Another vice-chairman of BNP, Mir Md Nasir Uddin, said the EVM has been banned in many developed countries. Not only that, India is also facing backlash for using the device as it gives immense opportunity for rigging, he added.

The “EVM plot” is designed by the Awami League to grab power once again through rigging, he alleged.

Presiding over the rally, Chittagong city unit president of BNP Dr Shahadat Hossain said before implicating  BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman in the August 21 grenade attack case, Awami League should look into its own people.

He urged the government to interrogate those who were not with Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader, at the rally to find who were involved in the attack.

BNP had sought permission to hold the anniversary rally at Laldighi ground from Chittagong Metropolitan Police, but they were allowed to organise the programme in front of the party office in Kazir Dewri area.