Please allow us to hold rally tomorrow: Rizvi

BNP today sought the government's permission to hold a public rally at Suhrawardi Udyan in Dhaka tomorrow demanding unconditional release of the party chief Khaleda Zia from jail.

"Even at the last moment, please allow us to hold the rally tomorrow. Good sense would prevail upon you (government)," BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed came up with the call at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office this afternoon.

Earlier in the day, a four-member team of BNP met Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner seeking the permission but denied of any positive hints in this regard.

BNP, the country's principal political party, has been seeking the government's nod to hold the rally since its Chairperson Khaleda Zia was sent to jail on a graft charge on February 8.

About the previous permissions, Rizvi said the authority gave permission to the party at the last moment.

"Earlier, we got permission at the eleventh hour. If it is given by this night, we will be able to hold a successful rally tomorrow," he said.

On February 8, a special court sentenced Khaleda Zia, a three-term prime minister, to five years rigorous imprisonment after she was found guilty in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.