BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Tuesday said only the shameless persons can join the maiden session of the 12 parliament formed through a ‘dummy’ election on January 7.

“The Parliament formed through the dummy election will start its journey at 3pm today amid people’s protest, resentment and condemnation,” he said.

Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader also said people from all strata including the professionals and leaders and activists of different political parties have taken to the streets since morning some with red flags and some with black flags to register their protest against the maiden parliament session.

Read: Maiden JS session: Speaker nominates 5-member panel of chairmen 

Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said, “Are people celebrating the opening of the parliament? They are condemning and expressing their anger and hatred.”

In this circumstance, he said, “Only those who have no shame and self-esteem can join the session of such a parliament.”

Bangladesh Smmalita Peshajibi Parishad, a platform of pro-BNP professionals, arranged the human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliament, the release of Khaleda Zia and all state prisoners and protesting the price hikes in essential commodities.

Gayeshwar said their party will continue their movement against the current government peacefully to force it to quit and hold a fresh election.

"Our movement is ongoing. We did not back off from our struggle, but we need to change the strategy of our agitation in different contexts…many people suggested we enforce a hartal today (Tuesday30, the day of the first session of the 12th Parliament)…BNP did not announce such programme (for a strategic reason),” he said.

The BNP leader said their party has long been carrying out its movement for the restoration of democracy in a peaceful and democratic manner.

Read: Oath-taking ceremony of members of the 12th Parliament to be held tomorrow 

“We couldn’t break (AL’) record of 173 days of strikes during the rule of this government… We can't yet set a precedent of striping a pedestrian and we can't yet kill people with logi-baitha (sticks-oars),” he said.

Gayeshwar expressed hope the current government will be ousted by strengthening the unity of the opposition political parties.

The BNP leader said it is their democratic right to register protest against the government on the streets.  “You (govt) won’t be able to subdue people by using the police and state machinery.”