Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is planning to organize a grand rally in Chittagong to demonstrate its strength in the premier port city.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members, and other central leaders will attend the rally scheduled to be held on July 20.
It is expected to be a significant political moment for BNP as the party was not seen organizing any grand rally in the country after the December 30 general elections.
The party has already sought permission to hold the rally at Laldighi Maidan. However, the ground has been allocated for a 23-day long tree fair from July 7.
As an alternative option, the party has sent a letter to Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) seeking permission to hold the rally at the Kazir Dewri intersection, or the District Council premises in the city.
Abul Hashem Bakkar, general secretary of Chittagong city BNP, told the Dhaka Tribune that they were taking all-out preparations to make the grand rally a success.
"We have received directives from the party high command to hold a grand rally in Chittagong. Accordingly, our leaders, and activists are working for a huge gathering at the rally to drum up public support for the release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
"We are holding preparatory meetings at all organizational levels in the run-up to the July 20 rally. We hope that the police will give us permission to hold the rally at Kazir Dewri intersection," added the BNP leader.
According to party insiders, although the rally is going to be held with a demand to release imprisoned BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the main objective is to energize the party leaders, and activists into action.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Abu Sufian, senior vice-president of Chittagong city BNP, said: "Many of our fellows are behind the bars in trumped-up cases, while others remain busy attending court hearings regularly. Under such circumstances, the upcoming divisional rally will provide a stimulus to the organization, and boost the party men's morale. We are hopeful that there will be a huge turnout at the grand rally."
Previously, on October 27, Jatiya Oikya Front held a big rally on Nur Ahmed Road in front of BNP's Nasiman Bhaban office at Kazir Dewri in the city.
Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and other top leaders of Jatiya Oikya Front spoke at that rally. Since then, Oikya Front or BNP has not announced any big program.
According to CMP sources, BNP will be informed about the decision, on holding of the rally, a couple days before July 20.
