BNP seeks home minister’s help to hold rally for Khaleda’s freedom

A BNP delegation has visited the home minister at the secretariat after being denied permission to hold a public rally at the Suhrawardy Udyan.

Senior leaders Nazrul Islam Khan, Hafizuddin Ahmed and Altaf Hossain Chowdhury met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in his office around 11am Tuesday.

This is the first time that BNP leaders have officially visited a minister during the Awami League's two consecutive tenures.

While talking to reporters after the meeting at the secretariat, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said: “The home minister said there was no objection. He will get back to us after consulting the relevant authorities.”

“We will wait for his response.”

“We declared dates for the rally but could not execute it as we were denied permission,” he told reporters, adding the BNP now sought permission for a rally planned for Mar 29.

“We have reasons to lose hope,” the BNP leader said. “However, the home minister’s response sounded positive. But we need to wait for the result.”

The party wrote letters to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner on Feb 22 and Mar 19 seeking the venue but received no response.

It sent the letter to the Public Works Department on Mar 19 after setting Mar 29 for the rally.

Senior BNP leaders decided to approach the minister as both the authorities remained silent.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia landed in jail for five years after a special trial court convicted her in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on Feb 8.

Since then, the party has been active with demonstrations, hunger strikes, mass signature campaign and other protest programmes.

It has held rallies in Khulna and Chittagong but has not been able to secure permission for the programme in the capital Dhaka.

“We do not have any objection. But the police commissioner is responsible for ensuring security. He suggests changing time or venue when he senses trouble,” said Home Minister Khan whose ministry governs the police force.
 
“They have asked me to consider the matter. I will definitely ask the related personnel if there is any inconvenience.”