Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia has called a dawn-to-dusk nationwide general strike for March 29 and slapped a deadline to restore the non-party caretaker system by June 10 this year.
The BNP chief on Monday gave the three-month ultimatum till June 10 for the government to amend the Constitution and arrange national elections under a non-party, neutral caretaker government.
She also announced nationwide general strike on March 29 to protest the obstructions caused by police and ruling party men to prevent people from attending their grand rally.
In April and May, the main opposition will stage demonstration in districts, upazilas (sub-district) and divisional headquarters on different issues.
“Make a formal announcement regarding restoration of non-party neutral caretaker government. Otherwise, we will announce tougher program from a rally on June 11,” Khaleda warned the government.
She from a Chittagong rally earlier announced the mass rally for March 12 to mount pressure on the government to restore the caretaker government system for the next parliamentary election
The system was scarped through a constitutional amendment in June last year in line with a Supreme Court verdict.
Opposition leader Khaleda Zia, however, did not come up with a formal proposal outlining an interim government to hold the next parliamentary polls due in 2014.
She said they have decided to expand the BNP-led four-party alliance but did not disclose the name of the new coalition. “Our alliance will be expanded to make the movement a success, and I am announcing the fresh programs on behalf of the new alliance.”
Spelling out new programs, the BNP chairperson said demonstrations and rallies will be organized in district and uapzila headquarters and in capital Dhaka throughout April to protest price-hike of essentials, shortage of gas and electricity, and deteriorating law and order situation.
BBN/SSR/AD-12:40 am (BST)
