BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who failed to topple the government with months of violent street agitation, has urged the people to stage ‘silent revolution of ballots’ against the government in the city polls.

She made the call at a programme of her party’s cultural wing in front of the BNP headquarters on Tuesday.

The BNP-endorsed Dhaka South mayor candidate Tabith Awal and North’s aspirant Mirza Abbas’ wife, Afroza, were present there.

Khaleda sought vote for both the candidates.

She alleged the government was creating obstacles for the BNP and did not permit her party to organise programmes marking the new year.

“We’ll have to stage a silent revolution of ballots,” the BNP chief said. “Vote for candidates endorsed by us and show the illegal government [that you’ve rejected it].”

Khaleda’s party and allies boycotted the 2014 parliamentary elections and have since been pressing for a snap election under a ‘neutral’ body.

However, the BNP has endorsed candidates for the crucial Apr 28 polls to Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations.

The last mayors of Chittagong and undivided Dhaka were backed by the BNP.

bdnews24.com/LY