BNP has now planned to hold rallies in its 40 more organisational districts from January 8 in the second phase to force the government to allow its chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced medical treatment.

The party announced the programmes on Wednesday in a press release signed by its senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

As per the programme schedule, the party will hold the rallies in six days--January 8, 12, 15, 17, 22 and 24-- to mount pressure on the government to allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment.

READ: All in govt to face ‘murder charge’ if anything happens to Khaleda: BNP

The party will formally inaugurate the second-phase programme through a rally in Brahmanbaria on January 8.

The other districts include Rajshahi, Chandpur, Rangpur, Barishal south, Khulna, Chattogram south, Sylhet, Nilphamari, Feni, Naogaon, Kushtia, Barguna, Sherpur, Bagerhat, Rangamati, Netrokona, Chapainawabganj,  Rajbari, Narail, Pirojpur, Chuadanga, Kurigram, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Satkhira, Mymensingh, Natore, Barishal north, Chattogram north, Saidpur, Shariatpur, Mymensingh north, Jhalokathi, Magura, Madaripur, Bandarban, Moulivibazar and Panchagarh.

BNP senior leaders, including standing committee members, vice-chairmen and party chairperson’s advisory council members will address the rallies.

Earlier in the first phase, the party held rallies in 32 districts from December 22 to 30 to press for the same demand.

Earlier, BNP observed human chains, mass-hunger strikes, rallies and submission of memorandums to DC offices across the country seeking Khaleda’s treatment abroad.

Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.

Her medical board members said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

READ: No legal scope to send Khaleda abroad: Home Minister

On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 seeking permission to send her abroad for better treatment.

The government still did not dispose of the application while the ministers are saying the BNP chief has no scope to go abroad until she files a fresh application returning to jail.