<div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has started its public rally in front of the party's Nayapaltan headquarters marking the International Democracy Day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rally formally started around 2:30 pm today with the recitation from the holy Quran.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thousands of BNP leaders and workers have been gathering at Nayapaltan to join the rally.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the occasion of the International Democracy Day, leaders and workers of BNP have been gathering from different parts of the capital.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They were seen chanting slogans in the name of the founder of BNP, Martyred President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and national hero Tarique Rahman.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nayapaltan and its surrounding areas were abuzz with slogans criticizing the dictatorial, fascist Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vehicular movement has been limited in and around Nayapaltan area.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Leaders and workers took position on the surrounding roads.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the fall of the autocratic Sheikh Hasina's government, a joyous environment was seen in everyone after being able to join the rally without any barricade.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Visiting the area, it was seen that Nayapaltan and surrounding areas, leaders and workers of BNP and its associate organizations started coming to the rally venue after 12:30 pm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Soon after then, BNP leaders and workers started coming from various wards to the rally venue at Nayapaltan with different festoons, placards and posters in their hands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Acting Chairman of BNP Deshnayak Tarique Rahman will address the rally virtually as the chief guest, while Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will preside over it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Senior leaders of BNP said that Tarique Rahman will deliver an important speech at the rally.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) leaders and leaders and workers were performing dances and singing songs to make them vibrant.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Publicity Secretary of BNP Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Member Secretary of Dhaka City North Aminul Haque and Member Secretary of Dhaka City South Tanveer Ahmed Rabin moderated the rally.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Member of BNP Standing Committee AZM Zahid Hossain and Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohail were on the stage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">BNP Standing Committee members and senior leaders will also address the event.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier, BNP had fixed the date of the rally on Sunday last (September 15), but the rally date was rescheduled two days later (September 17) due to inclement weather.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>