One-point Movement: BNP to hold mass processions in all cities on Friday

As part of their one-point simultaneous movement, BNP will hold mass processions in all metropolitan cities, including Dhaka, to mount pressure on the government to quit and hold the next election under a non-party caretaker government.

Besides, the party also announced programmes on August 17 and 19 demanding unconditional release and advanced treatment of its ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia who has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital since August 9 for various ailments.

Party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office on Tuesday.

The party standing committee finalised the programmes at its virtual meeting on Monday night.

“Mass processions will be held in all metropolitan cities, including Dhaka, on Friday as part of a simultaneous movement demanding the resignation of the current illegal, looter and fascist government," he said.

Rizvi said other opposition parties and alliances who have been carrying out the simultaneous movement with BNP will also observe a similar programme on the same day from their respective positions.

On August 9, BNP and like-minded parties took out mass processions in the capital as part of the last programme of their one-point movement.

On July 12 last, BNP and the like-minded parties announced their one-point movement to realise their demands.

Their demands include the resignation of the current “fascist, authoritarian, people‍‍`s vote looter and illegal” Awami League government, dissolution of the existing parliament, formation of the polls-time impartial government and reconstitution of the Election Commission for arranging a free, fair and inclusive election, the release of all political prisoners, including BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, withdrawal of all falls and ghost cases, including those against Tarique Rahman, and annulment of all false convictions.

In December last year, BNP and like-minded parties and alliances started a simultaneous movement based on their common objective of ousting the present government to pave the way for holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.

About programme for Khaleda’s treatment

Rizvi said their party will distribute leaflets across the country on August 17 and stage marches at city and district levels on August 19 to press home their demand for the unconditional release of Khaleda and her advanced treatment abroad.

Besides, he said their party will hold a doa and milad mahfil across the country, including at their Nayapaltan central office, on Wednesday seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of her illness.

Khaleda has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.

She was sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail she was convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case by a lower court on February 8, 2018.

On March 25, 2020, the BNP chief was released from jail upon an executive order on some conditions considering her age and humanitarian ground following an application by her family.