Slamming the government for killing a Jubo Dal activist in Narayanganj by attacking a peaceful programme, BNP on Thursday vowed to launch a united movement to unseat the Awami League from power and avenge  the blood of its all slain workers.

“Our Chhatra Dal leader Noor-e-Alam and Swechchasebak Dal leader Abur Rahim were killed in police firing in Bhola while observing a programme protesting the price hike of fuel and essential commodities. Our colleague Shaon was also killed in police firing today (Thursday) in Narayanganj,” said party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

In a brief address prior to bringing out a colourful rally at Naypaltan, he also said many leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies were suffered bullet wounds in different districts, including Netrakona, Sirajganj and Manikganj, as police attacked the party’s founding anniversary programmes.

Also read: Jubo Dal activist killing: BNP announces 2-day protest programme

“To avenge the blood of our brothers, we will defeat them (AL govt) through a united movement together with people. This is our oath on this day,” the BNP leader said.

The party brought out the rally from its central office, marking its 44th founding anniversary. Thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies holding banners, festoons and photos of the party's top leaders joined the rally.

The BNP followers started gathering Nayapaltan area since 11 am blocking both sides of the road stretching from Bijoynagar crossing to Fakirerpool, halting traffic in and around the areas that caused immense sufferings to commuters.

The rally began around 4pm from Bijoynagar crossing and ended in front of the Jatiya Press Club.

Fakhrul said many BNP leaders and activists sacrificed their blood for establishing democracy and strengthening the party. “We remember with respect all of them.”

He alleged that the current government obliterated democracy and snatched people’s all rights in a planned way.

Also read: Jubo Dal activist killed in N’ganj clash

“Our leader (Khaleda) who has fought for democracy all her life is now under house arrest. Our acting chairman has been exiled abroad by sentencing him in false cases while our 35 lakh leaders and workers are being harassed by implicating them in false cases,” the BNP leader said.

As people have waged a movement to get their voting rights back, he said the government is trying to suppress it to hang onto power by resorting to repressive acts, enforced disappearance and killing. “But BNP was born to establish democracy.”

“We are loudly saying that we want to remove this fascist Awami League regime and establish a truly democratic government for the sake of democracy. Let’s all unite and defeat this government by taking over the streets,” Fakhrul said.