As part of the ongoing simultaneous movement against the current government, BNP has started its protest rally in front of its Naya Paltan central office.
The rally formally began around 2:30pm.
BNP and its like-minded parties and organizations are holding the rally for registering a protest against the introduction of one-party Baksal rule by Awami League on this day in 1975, the rise in the prices of power and gas and mounting pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government.
Although the program was supposed to start at 2pm, hundreds of party leaders and activists started gathering at the venue in small processions since noon.
A temporary rally stage was built on four trucks on the road in front of the BNP central office.
Leaders and activists of the party and affiliated organizations staged processions at Naya Paltan with separate banners and slogans against the government.
An adequate number of law enforcers have been deployed in and around the rally venue to fend off any untoward incident.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is set to address the rally as chief guest.
Apart from him, the party's standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Selima Rahman and other senior leaders will be present.
Meanwhile, Ganatantra Mancha and Ganatantrik Bam Oikya held separate rallies in front of the National Press Club and announced a countrywide demonstration program for February 4.
Besides, the 12-Party Alliance is holding a rally near Bijoynagar Water Tank while Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote in front of the Jatiya Press and LDP at FDC Crossing.
BNP is likely to announce a similar program during its rally.
As previously announced, BNP and like-minded parties are holding protests in the capital and across the country at the metropolitan and district levels. This is the fourth program of the simultaneous anti-government movement.
The program was announced on January 16 from a rally and procession.