<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>As part of the ongoing simultaneous movement against the current government, a rally of BNP began in front of its Nayapaltan central office with the participation of a huge number of leaders and activists of the party and its associated bodies.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The rally formally began around 2:30 pm with recitation from the holy Quran.</div><div><br></div><div>The organisers said the programme is meant for registering a protest against the introduction of one-party Baksal rule by Awami League on this day in 1975, rise in the prices of power and gas and mounting pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government.</div><div><br></div><div>Hundreds of party leaders and activists started gathering at the venue in small processions since noon, halting traffic in the area that caused public suffering.</div><div><br></div><div>An adequate number of law enforcers have been deployed in and around the rally venue to fend off any untoward incident.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will announce the next course of action from the rally.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from BNP, other like-minded opposition parties, alliances and organisations are also observing a similar programme in Dhaka and other divisional cities and district towns on Wednesday as part of the simultaneous movement to oust the current government.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Ganatantra Mancha and Ganatantrik Bam Oikya held separate rallies in front of the Jatiya Press Club and announced a countrywide demonstration programme for February 4. BNP is likely to announce a similar programme for the same day from its rally.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the 12-Party Alliance is holding a rally near Bijoy Nagar Water Tank while Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote in front of the Jatiya Press at and LDP at FDC Crossing.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the fourth programme of the simultaneous movement after the mass procession in December 30, sit-in on January 11 and rally and procession on January 16. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>