A 48-hour hartal, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties to protest the 12th parliamentary election to be held tomorrow (January 07, 2024), is underway. The hartal began at 6 am today (January 06, 2024) and will end at 6 am on Monday (January 08, 2024). A large number of people have left Dhaka city ahead of the January 7 national parliamentary election. The number of vehicles on the street are fewer compared to other days, but despite fear of arson attacks, public vehicles were plying the streets. Four people were killed as arsonists burnt four coaches of the Benapole Express train in Dhaka last night. Read: Govt to face crushing defeat on Jan 7: Moyeen Khan  BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the hartal at a virtual press briefing on Thursday. He said their programme is meant to drum up public support in favor of the party’s call to boycott the January 7 election. BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration. Read: BNP to hold processions, conduct mass contacts Friday to protest Jan-7 polls Many senior leaders, including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers. However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days since October 29. The opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20.

An unidentified individual attempted to enter the cabin of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital on Saturday (December 23, 2023) evening. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed deep concern over this incident. “The intrusion attempt by an unknown youth into the cabin of our ailing chairperson, a respected three-time former Prime Minister, is not only worrying but raises serious questions about the security measures in place,” Rizvi stated. Read: BNP to form human chains on Dec 10 in protest against injustice: Rizvi  The BNP leader highlighted the gravity of the situation, given Khaleda Zia’s high-profile status and her current health struggles. People are astonished at how the security of such a prominent figure, particularly in her vulnerable state, could be compromised in a reputedly safe environment like Evercare Hospital, he added. Rizvi further questioned the implications of this incident, suggesting a potential deeper conspiracy. “The mysterious nature of this attempted breach has sparked widespread concern and speculation among the people. It is imperative to ascertain whether this was an isolated incident or part of a more sinister plot.” The incident has led to calls for heightened security for the 78-year-old Khaleda Zia, who has been hospitalized since August 9 for multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, and heart complications. Recently, she underwent a specialized hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), performed by a team of US specialists from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine. Read: EC’s show-causes for violating electoral code are a joke on the people: Rizvi  Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, Khaleda Zia has been under medical supervision. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government extended her release, mandating her stay in her Gulshan residence and prohibiting international travel.

 A Dhaka court Monday issued warrants for the arrest of  BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and its Rajshahi division organizing secretary Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu in a case filed under the Special Powers Act. The case was filed at Shahbagh police station in 2018 . Read:Tarique, Fakhrul among 9 face arrest warrant Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Emrul Kayes passed the order. Besides, the court accepted the charge sheet submitted against them.

BNP on Thursday alleged that the police are dillydallying in giving permission to hold its scheduled rally in Khulna city on Saturday.

BNP on Tuesday alleged that the government is making a list of 'fake' freedom fighters comprising Awami League supporters and their relatives who did not join the Liberation War in 1971.

Condemning the issuance of an arrest warrant against its chairperson Khaleda Zia in a defamation case by a Narail court, BNP on Thursday said it has exposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ‘political vengeance’.

BNP on Thursday alleged that the government’s desire has been reflected in the lower court’s verdict in a case filed over the attack on Sheikh Hasina’s convoy in Satkhira in 2002.

BNP on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina “made a mockery” with her comment that a strong opposition in the country is a must for democracy as she herself ‘buried democracy’.

BNP on Wednesday alleged that the elections to Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) were marred by “unprecedented vote robbery’ and violence”.

BNP on Friday urged President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to get vaccinated first with the one came from India to encourage people to follow suit.