Amid the presence of a huge number of party men, the BNP yesterday called upon the government to dissolve parliament before the next parliamentary polls for holding the elections under a non-partisan neutral administration.

Thousands of BNP leaders and activists brought out a colourful procession in the city marking the country's 48th Independence Day. At the programme, party leaders also vowed to “restore” democracy and people's rights in the country through a peaceful and systematic movement.

Since noon, activists of the BNP and its associate bodies, in their hundreds, started gathering in front of the party's Nayapaltan central office and its adjacent areas with small processions.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with other senior leaders, inaugurated the procession around 2:00pm.

Carrying the national flag, placards, banners, festoons and portraits of top party leaders, the BNP men marched towards Shantinagar amid tight     security.

They chanted slogans demanding the release of their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who was sent to jail in a corruption case on February 8.

The rally ended in Nayapaltan around one hour later after marching through Kakrail and Shantinagar streets, creating traffic jam in Motijheel, Fakirapool, Bijaynagar, Kakrail, Shantinagar and Malibagh areas.

BNP's freedom fighters wing Muktijoddha Dal also brought out a procession with a symbolic coffin. “Democracy has gone in this coffin” was written on it.

In his brief speech before the procession, Fakhrul called upon the government to take steps for holding the next general elections under a non-party administration.

“The prime minister must resign and parliament should be dissolved before the polls,” he said.

He also said the country's people were deprived of all their basic rights as the government had snatched them away. “We fought the Liberation War with the spirit of democracy but the government has established a one-party rule by destroying that very spirit after assuming office.”

The BNP leader urged his party colleagues to take a vow to restore peace, democracy and peoples' rights in the country.

Several hundred law enforcers were deployed at different points from Nayapaltan to Malibagh crossing to fend off any untoward incident.

Earlier, a three-member BNP team, led by party standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to seek permission for their rally scheduled to be held on March 29 at the Suhrawardy Udyan.

Emerging from the meeting, the BNP leader told journalists that the home minister told them that the government had no objection to the holding of their rally.

“He [the minister] said he would inform us about the permission after discussion with the authorities concerned. We found him positive, but we will wait for his confirmation,” Nazrul said.

He said they also discussed the indiscriminate arrest of their party leaders and activists and repression against them. “We requested him to stop it. I think the minister took it seriously.”

Later, the home minister told journalists that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner would decide whether the BNP would get the permission.

“If our police commissioner thinks there is no apprehension of anything bad on March 29, he will grant permission for the rally. This is his duty,” he said.

The minister also said the DMP may permit BNP to hold its rally if it changes the schedule and venue. “It is our duty to ensure security of the people so that no untoward situation is created.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said a total of 422 BNP men were killed across the country during the mass uprising between July and August.

"According to various reports, 875 people were martyred across Bangladesh in the 'July Genocide' until August 13, of whom at least 422 were involved in BNP politics," Fakhrul said.

"There is no scope to underestimate BNP's contribution," he added.

He also said preparing the Election System Reform Commission's report should not take more than two months.

"I think it should not take more than two months. Complete it within two months…" Fakhrul said during a press conference on the occasion of International Democracy Day at the BNP Chairperson's office in Gulshan.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus yesterday said Badiul Alam Majumdar would head the Electoral System Reform Commission, which is expected to complete their work within the next three months.

Fakhrul said, "Election-centric reforms should be given the highest priority..."

"The reform works should be completed quickly to move towards an election. The election will be held under a neutral government. The election will be free and fair. The people will elect their representatives by voting," he added.

Fakhrul also identified the critical areas requiring reform, including the Election Commission, administration, law enforcement agencies, and judiciary.

"Election-centric reforms are necessary," he added.

Addressing concerns about legal repercussions for BNP leaders, Fakhrul said, "They [Awami League] have punished many of us. If we are given more than two years of punishment, we will not be able to participate in the election. Reforms are needed in this regard as well."

Fakhrul also called for patience and unity among the political parties, urging support for the interim government's efforts.

"Many times, we see that many political parties are saying things that are not very conducive to overall unity," he said.

"Our most important need is to maintain unity. Be patient. Support all the works of this interim government and try to move forward," he added.

India today said it considers the coming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh as an "internal affair" of Bangladesh and it was inappropriate to make any comment on that.

"We view the elections in Bangladesh as an internal affair of Bangladesh. I don't think it is appropriate for the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) to comment on the internal affairs of a friendly and neighbouring country," MEA Spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.

He came up with the remarks at his weekly media briefing responding to a query on how India viewed the elections in Bangladesh.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said his party, if comes to power, will form a national government with participation from all parties that supported them throughout.

"If we are elected, we will not run the country alone... So, where is the problem? Where is the doubt?" said Fakhrul at a discussion at Jatiya Press Club.

Highlighting the need for holding an election swiftly to save the nation, Fakhrul asked the interim government to focus on specific reforms.

"The public has started doubting you [interim government]. The people in the government are creating confusion by making various remarks. Focus should be on fixing the Election Commission, administration, and judiciary to prepare for elections. The rest of the work will be done by those elected," he added.

Highlighting lack of political expertise in the current administration, he said, "Factories, which are major assets of our country, are being set on fire. Why can't they address this? Because there is no politics here. They lack political strength."

"None of these people [advisers] have political experience. Politics involves specific calculations and equations, which only politicians understand," he mentioned, adding that delays will only exacerbate existing problems and create new ones.

Referring to the recent protests by the students of Government Titumir College, Fakhrul questioned the interim government's preparedness.

"Were they not intelligent enough to foresee this? Why were preventive measures not taken?" he stressed.

Asking the government for a roadmap to elections, Fakhrul said, "We demand elections for the interest of the nation, not for BNP's benefit. We have given reform proposals supported by 62 parties. Review them and decide on which ones to implement."

"Announcing an election roadmap will restore public confidence," stressed the BNP leader, adding that he wants the interim government to succeed in their ventures.

"We do not want Hasina to return," he said.

Fresh out of successfully appealing to the Election Commission for candidacy, Barrister Aminul Haque has bagged BNP’s final nod to vie for Rajshahi-1.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the BNP, declared his candidacy at a press briefing in BNP’s Gulshan office this afternoon.

Initially, Barrister Aminul was turned down by the Election Commission on charges of concealing his conviction in a case in the affidavit submitted during application.

ABOUT THE CONSTITUENCY

Rajshahi-1 constituency is comprised with Godagari Upazila, and Tanore Upazila; having a voter base of 383,254. It is one of those areas dominant with women voters.

Having 145 voting centres within the constituency, there are 192,682 female voters and 190,572 male voters who will be exercising their franchise on election day.

Barrister Aminul’s arch contestant will be Awami League leader Omar Faruque Chowdhury.

There was one other BNP leader – Ava Haque – who was kept as a backup in case of Aminul’s failure to secure candidacy. But now, she will have to withdraw from the race.

M Abdul Mannan of Islami Andolon Bangladesh and M Rafiqul Islam of Workers Party of Bangladesh will also be contesting for this seat in the elections.

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

The 11th general election will be held on December 30. It was deferred once by the Election Commission upon demands from the opposition political parties.

As per the polls schedule, the deadline for filing the nomination papers was November 28. Since then, the commission has been engaged in hearing appeals of rejected candidates.

After December 9, the last date for nomination withdrawal, the commission will allot polls symbols to contestant and open the field for campaigning.