The rally of the newly-formed coalition, Jatiya Oikya Front, has begun in Chittagong.
Leaders, activists and supporters gathered in large number to attend the rally in Chittagong’s Kazir Dewri area, which began around 2pm on Saturday.
This is the second rally of the party.
Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain is attending the event as the chief guest, while BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is set to address at the rally as the key speaker.
Many other alliance leaders, such as ASM Abdur Rab and Mahmudur Rahman Manna, are also scheduled to attend the rally.
Leaders and activists are carrying placards, and chanting slogans demanding unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail. A significant number of law enforcers have also been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident.
Leaders and activists are carrying placards, and chanting slogans demanding unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail | Anwar Hussain/Dhaka Tribune
On Friday, the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) granted conditional permission to the newly formed political platform for holding the rally. Jatiya Oikya Front will have to wrap up the rally by 5pm.
Initially, the platform had sought permission from police for holding the rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chittagong, but their request was denied.
The Jatiya Oikya Front is an alliance comprised of the BNP, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, ASM Abdur Rab's Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Mahmudur Rahman Manna's Nagorik Oikya.
The Oikya Front was formed on October 13, with demands of a national election under a neutral government after dissolution of parliament, and release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.
