The rallies of the factions led by City unit Secretary Nazrul Islam Manju and Whip Ashraf Hossain were scheduled to be held at Maharaj Chattar in the city.

Manju admitted that he received a fax at noon from party Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, who asked him not to hold the rally or issue any statements against any BNP leaders.

Bhuiyan also warned that stern action will be taken if anyone from Khulna BNP, no matter what faction they belong to, violates his command.

District BNP Secretary Shafique Alam Mona told The Daily Star that Bhuiyan has taken a right step by imposing restriction on factional activities.

Whip Ashraf, city BNP President M Nurul Islam MP, Mayor Sheikh Tayebur Rahman and Ali Asgar Lobi MP could not be contacted as they were in Dhaka.