Rolling out a seven-point charter with the release of party chief Khaleda Zia on the top of its agenda, the BNP reiterated its demand for a ‘neutral’ polls-time administration at Sunday’s public rally.
The party also announced a host of visions from the Suhrawardy Udyan rally.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda, who is now serving prison for corruption, was designated as the chief guest at the event. A chair was left empty for her on the stage in political symbolism.
In its 12-point vision, the party said it will take steps to improve the country’s political culture, get rid of the politics of vengeance, ensure good governance, democracy and fight against extremism and not allowing Bangladesh's territory to be used to carry out criminal activities against other countries, including India.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who presided over the rally, said they will hold similar rallies across the country on Oct 3 and submit memorandums to deputy commissioners (district administration chiefs).
Rallies will be held in divisional cities the next day with submitting memorandums to divisional commissioners, he said.
The seven demands also include dissolving the current parliament and resignation of the government, creating a level playing field by withdrawing all the political cases and releasing all the political prisoners, reconstitution of the Election Commission, deploying army and discarding electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the election.
The rally kicked off around 2pm. Thousands of activists and supporters gathered at the venue in small processions since morning.
Huge law enforcers were deployed in and around the venue to maintain law and order.
Addressing the rally, BNP National Standing Committee member Moudud Ahmad, said, they will revoke the Digital Security Act, if elected.
“The act will be revoked within a week if we are voted to power in the upcoming general election,” he said.
Underscoring the need for a greater unity to free Khaleda and a neutral polls-time administration, senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan told the rally, “We can’t meet our demands if we fail to form a greater national unity”.