BNP has moved away from the strategy to create pressure on the government by demanding release of party chairperson, Khaleda Zia. Now they want to resort to social and diplomatic means.
As part of the new initiative, they are talking to diplomats, holding press conferences to present a picture of repression and oppression.
On 8 August last, Khaleda Zia completed six months in prison and to mark the day, BNP held a token strike, presented a memorandum, held protest rallies and other events.
But the party’s activities experienced a notable decline in the last two months. On 20 July last, BNP held a protest rally at Naya Paltan, demanding Khaleda Zia’s release.
BNP’s vice chairman, Ahmed Azam Khan, told Bangla Tribune: “along with legal battle, we are also carrying out several programmes to secure her release.”
The party was busy with city corporation elections; now we will concentrate on the movement to free the party chairman, he added.
BNP leaders have also said that to free Khaleda Zia is the movement of the party and not the masses.
On 7 August last, BNP leaders met diplomats and highlighted government interference in stalling Khaleda Zia’s bail.
Another BNP leader confirmed that the party did not have any plan for a major campaign in the running month.
On Friday, 10 August, morning, party secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will hold a press conference and talk about the attack on students who were protesting with the demand for safe roads.