BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will not attend the rally of Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal scheduled for Saturday (December 21) due to illness.

"She has been unwell since the night before last. Following doctors' advice, her participation (in the rally) has been cancelled," BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office this morning.

Khaleda was set to attend the event as the chief guest, marking her first appearance at a political programme in seven years.