BNP chief Khaleda faces protests during city polls campaign

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has run into stiff challenge from Awami League activists while campaigning at Uttara in Dhaka.

Khaleda was in Uttara on Sunday afternoon to campaign for Dhaka North City Corporation mayor candidate Tabith Mohammed Awal.

Her motorcade ran into a wall of pro-government activists at the House Building area.

As Khaleda's motorcade approached the House Building intersection around 6:30pm, about 70 activists of Awami League, Juba League and Chhatra League, who had already gathered there, raised slogans and  started waving black flags.

At one stage, some of them lobbed sticks with black flags at the police car in front of Khaleda’s motorcade.

Police tried to disperse the crowd but failed as the ruling party activists continue to shout slogans.

Hundreds of BNP activists threw a protective shield around Khaleda’s car.

Later, the car turned towards the airport.

The BNP chief visited SB Tower, Amir Complex, Rajuk Commercial Complex and North Tower, asking residents to vote for Tabith Awal as Mayor.

BNP supporters lined up on both sides of the road from Uttara to the airport to greet Khaleda.

But Awami League activists were around as well, waving black flags as she crossed Khilkhet and Uttara Sector 3.

The BNP chief urged people to vote for a ‘silent revolution through ballots’.

On the other hand, her rival, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, blamed Khaleda for the violence during the blockade she had called and urged people to question her on the issue wherever she went.