Addressing a press conference at Khulna Press Club, Nurul Islam, also former city BNP president, said KCC gave permission us on July 27 to hold the rally at Shahid Maharaj square on Wednesday and issued a letter on July 29 cancelling it. This is quite unfortunate, he said, adding that KCC is playing a double standard in dealing with the issue.

Nurul Islam is leading a faction of his party in Khulna, sources said.

Nazrul Islam Manju, former general secretary of city BNP, said party activists and supporters loyal to his faction will march towards Shahid Maharaj square on Wednesday afternoon to hold the rally at any cost.

Manju said, "Lawmaker Ali Asgar Lobi and Mayor Sheikh Tayebur Rahman are political cheats as they have no little contribution to the development of Khulna." They are nothing but seasonal birds rejected by people and diehard workers of BNP, Manju said.

Manju, claiming himself as general secretary of Khulna city BNP, rejected the convening committee led by Lobi.

Meanwhile, cancellation of permission to hold meeting has refuelled tension among BNP leaders and workers as Lobi-Tayebur faction is also determined to hold the rally at Shahid Maharaj square at the same time the same day.

Shaharuzzaman Martuza, member-secretary of city BNP convening committee, said, "We have an official letter from KCC with permission to hold a rally there."