BNP front Sramik Dal to parade down Dhaka streets on May Day

The BNP's labour wing Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal has announced fresh plans to take out a procession in the capital on May 1 after being denied permission to hold rally at Suhrawardy Udyan.

The procession will be taken out from BNP's Naya Paltan headquarters at 10am and it will end at National Press Club where Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad will hold a programme.

Sramik Dal made the announcement at a press conference on Sunday in the presence of BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Rizvi slammed the government pointing out how Sramik Dal's request to hold their programmes on International Workers' Day or May Day has been repeatedly turned down.

Sramik Dal initially planned to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on May 1 with BNP chief Khaleda Zia.

But Dhaka Metropolitan Police denied them permission.

"Sramik Dal applied for the venue long ago on Apr 2. Only a few days back, the DMP replied that they could not grant the venue for May 1 but Sramik Dal could apply for May 2 or 3," said Rizvi.

"We did apply for those dates and now they say we can hold the rally on May 5. Is this some kind of joke?"

"By doing so, the government has mocked the International Workers' Day," added the leader.

Sramik Dal President Anwar Hossain said: "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hold programmes on the occasion. She has neglected us and all workers of the world by showing such attitude."

Leaders of Sramik Dal were present at the press briefing.