The BNP yesterday sought permission from police for holding its rally in front of the party's Nayapaltan central office to mark what it says the National Revolution and Solidarity Day on November 8. Earlier, police denied them permission to stage the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed told The Daily Star that they hoped to get permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police to hold the rally at the venue.

On Thursday night, the DMP said they would not allow any political party to hold any rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on November 7 or 8 over "security reasons".

Earlier, the BNP asked for permission to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on November 7 and 8 to mark the day.

Soon after their announcement, the ruling Awami League leaders threatened to resist any programme of the BNP on that day. The AL sees the day as a day of "killing of freedom fighters".

Earlier yesterday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticised the DMP's decision and said, "We will surely seek permission for an alternative venue, and we hope we will get the permission."

He was talking to journalists after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's grave along with members of the newly-formed committee of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal.

About the attacks on the Hindus in Brahmanbaria's Nasirnagar, Fakhrul said a vested quarter was carrying out such attacks in a planned way to harm the country's religious harmony.

He also alleged that the local administration failed to play their due role in preventing the attacks.