Calling upon the government to allow the 20-party alliance for its January 5 rally, the BNP has promised to hold the public meeting in a peaceful manner.

“Our rally will be peaceful. We’re pledge-bound to ensure peace and democracy,” said BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed at a press conference at party Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Friday afternoon.

Apart from government permission, he also sought police protection and cooperation to hold the rally properly.

Expressing hope that the administration would give permission, Rizvi informed the journalists that BNP has submitted written applications to the Public Works Department and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)authorities.

The senior BNP leader also denounced Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad for his Thursday’s remarks over party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

LY